SPRING VALLEY, Calif. — When a swimmer at the McGrath Family YMCA suffered cardiac arrest, lifeguards jumped into action and saved his life.
In this Zevely Zone, I met one of the heroes at the YMCA in Spring Valley.
On October 17, 59-year-old Jay Greeson took an afternoon swim that could have been his last.
"I don't remember what actually happened that day," said Jay.
He was swimming when his heart stopped.
"From what I understand, I was in the middle of the pool, literally in the middle of the pool," said Jay. "For all tense and purposes, I died in the pool."
Lifeguard James Getch jumped in to save Jay, while lifeguard Michaela Higginson grabbed the Automated External Defibrillator or AED.
"They are pulling him out here," said Michaela. "I am sitting this down and grabbing this."
Although lifeguards train for emergencies, the AED told them what to do.
"Stay calm; follow these instructions. Make sure 911 is called now," the AED said.
"We get drilled twice a month," said Michaela. "The whole procedure of a rescue is in my head, so I wasn't too nervous; I was more nervous about the outcome of Jay."
Greg Erickson, Executive Director of the McGrath Family YMCA, called Jay's wife to let her know he was on the way to the hospital with a pulse.
"It was emotional, you know? You feel a deep connection to that person even though I have not met Jay," said Greg. "We were on pins and needles for 48 hours, and to hear about 48 hours later that he had survived it was emotional."
Jay's wife is Rhina Paredes-Greeson.
"I couldn't believe it," said Rhina.
15 years ago, Rhina founded the Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation after her son Eric died from cardiac arrest.
I asked her, "How similar were the heart problems that Eric suffered and Jay?"
"They suffered the same problem," said Rhina.
The Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation has provided free heart screenings to more than 40,000 young people and discovered 655 heart abnormalities. The non-profit organization has also placed nearly 200 AEDs in schools, pools, parks, and public places.
Rhina's message to everyone is simple.
"Everyone needs to learn CPR and how to use an AED," said Rhina. "Thank you so much for what you guys did. Absolute heroes."
After four shocks from an AED and a hospital stay, Jay made a full recovery.
"It was pretty validating to know that I know what I am doing," said Michaela.
Said Jay, "It's great to be alive, and maybe now it's my mission to help other people know CPR and how to use an AED, and they are actually trained to save a life."
The Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation will offer free heart screenings for young people at Miramar College on December 8th. For more information, click here.