A library assistant is being hailed as a hero after he sprang into action to save the life of a co-worker who collapsed at work, in a rescue that unfolded inside a public library, according to the report. The man, identified as Seve Orozco, performed CPR and used an emergency defibrillator on his stricken colleague before paramedics were able to arrive on the scene.
Orozco recalled how the emergency began with a call for help that he could not ignore. As reported, he said he heard someone shouting help, help, and in that instant he dropped the phone he was holding and ran down the staircase toward the commotion, not yet knowing exactly what he would find when he reached the source of the cries.
When he got to his co-worker, he immediately understood how serious the situation was, according to the report. Orozco said he could see that her face was changing color, and he realized that meant she was not getting oxygen. That visible sign told him at once that this was a major medical emergency and that he had to act without any delay.
The rescue took place at the Harry Bennett Library, a branch of the public library system in Stamford, Connecticut. As reported, when the co-worker went into sudden cardiac arrest, Orozco knew exactly what to do, drawing on cardiopulmonary resuscitation training that he had received while working at other places over the years.
Putting that training to use, Orozco began chest compressions on his colleague and made sure that someone nearby called 911 to summon emergency responders, according to the report. He kept working to keep her alive, performing CPR and turning to the emergency defibrillator during the critical minutes before the paramedics arrived and were able to take over.
The effort did not go unnoticed. As reported, the library assistant was honored by the Stamford Police for his life-saving actions, and in an emotional moment the very co-worker he had rescued was present at the ceremony. Many of his fellow library workers also came out to show their support for both of them on the day that he was recognized.
For the survivor, being able to attend and take part carried deep meaning. She said she was very emotional and very happy to be there, that she was feeling very good, and that she was grateful the decision had been made to honor him, according to the report. Orozco, for his part, urged everyone to learn CPR, saying that if people get the chance they should learn it, because you never know when you could save someone's life.