SF Woman Saves The Life Of Co-Worker
by Jennifer Hudspeth
September 26, 2012 9:12 PM
It can be hard to predict how you would react during an emergency situation. While some might panic, others remain calm, cool, and collected. When one of her co-workers collapsed on the job, a Sioux Falls woman sprang into action and she’s credited with saving his life. We think she’s Someone You Should Know.
Sarah Lee is accustomed to being asked about her name, and she's ready to answer on the fly.
“I tell them I make a mean cheesecake,” says Sarah Lee.
While she's used to hearing comments about her name, she's not used to is all the recent attention she’s been getting.
Lee says, “It's not about me, it's about what you can do for others.”
Sarah Lee is being honored with the Citizen Hero Award. On September 6th one of her co-workers at Sioux Falls Truck and Trailer went into cardiac arrest. She immediately ran to his side and began performing CPR. When a fellow employee brought her a defibrillator the company had installed on the property, Sarah Lee didn't hesitate. She put the machine to work.
Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Chief Jim Sideras says, "Before these defibrillators were in place, this would be a different outcome and it'd be a sad outcome. But, because people are taking action, they have the equipment there, and we're seeing people's lives being saved.”
Before first responders arrived on the scene Sarah's co-worker had regained a pulse and was even awake and talking. While he's still recuperating, he's expected to return to work in October. But scary as it was, the recent situation has inspired Sarah. She plans to take classes to be re-certified in CPR, and she says if she's ever faced with a similar situation she won't be afraid.
Sarah Lee says, “Other people should know that they can step up and that they can help other people when they're in trouble.”
It’s a comment that’s like a slice of humble pie...coming from Sarah Lee.
Sioux Falls Truck and Trailer also received an award for having a defibrillator on site.
