Kirk Menier used to be a regular on this forum, but has not been here in a while, and most new posters won't know him. Jerry also used to be a regular here, and there are a few, including myself, who had a few differences of opinion with him.
As a firefighter and paramedic, I've been involved in countless cpr's, some with happy endings like Kirk's, most not. The good ones make us all feel good, and people often thank us and the other emergency medical staff, and that's fine, we appreciate it. But we're only doing our job, one that we've been trained to do, are expected to do, and even lawfully required to do. But the positive effect of bystander cpr can never be over emphasized. For the obvious medical reasons because it keeps the heart pumping oxygen for those minutes it takes the ambulance to get there, but it's always done by people that didn't have to, and are even taking some risk in doing so.
From what I understand, Jerry Moody (who is close friends with Kirk), Jerry's wife Judy, and a physician, performed cpr on Kirk until EMS crews got there. That, to me, is the epitome of selfless humanity, courage. No matter what differences anyone has with Jerry, if you could see the picture posted on facebook of Kirk's daughter Paige, looking at her dad with thankful and loving eyes, his hand on her shoulder, after he woke up, and know that Jerry and his wife played a large part in that picture taking place, maybe even the largest part. Jerry is a man of conviction and courage, and I salute him and his wife.
Well said Bryan. I totally agree. I too have worked in healthcare for over 40 years. First responders like Jerry make a huge difference. But the choice to initiate CPR is hard to do....it does take courage and conviction....Jerry has plenty of that. I salute you Jerry.....Get better Kirk your work in this world isn't finished.