Joe Greco's Heroic Act: The Importance of Regular CPR Training in Saving Lives

This article highlights the significance of regular CPR training in the workplace through the inspiring story of Joe Greco, who saved his friend's life by performing CPR. It emphasizes the importance of proper CPR training, which can help employees respond quickly and effectively in emergency situations, ultimately saving lives.

Joe Greco and John Holschuh were former high school basketball teammates who continued to play together even in their middle age. One autumn day, they decided to play a game of 2-on-2 against their teenage sons in Greco's driveway. The game was intense, with the boys putting immense pressure on Greco and Holschuh. After an hour, the boys decided to go inside to play video games while Greco and Holschuh remained in the garage to cool off and talk sports.

Suddenly, Holschuh collapsed and lost consciousness. Greco caught him to prevent him from striking his head on the concrete floor. Holschuh, who was in great shape and worked out regularly, appeared to be having a seizure, and his breathing became heavy before stopping completely.

Greco quickly cleared the area of any objects that could harm Holschuh and instructed his son to dial 911 while he began performing CPR. Fortunately, Greco had received CPR training every two years from his employer, the largest maritime terminal operator in the United States. He knew exactly what to do in this life-threatening situation.

After performing chest compressions for almost a minute, Holschuh began breathing again. But his breathing stopped once more, and he started throwing up. Greco continued CPR while the 911 operator guided him over the phone. For the next ten minutes, Greco tirelessly applied chest compressions until a volunteer firefighter from the neighborhood arrived to assist him.

The paramedics eventually arrived and used a defibrillator to restore Holschuh's heartbeat. Greco accompanied his friend to the emergency room and informed Holschuh's wife, Dawn, of the situation by phone.

After ten days in the hospital, Holschuh recovered and was diagnosed with a rare condition called spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). Doctors inserted an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) into his chest to monitor his heartbeats and administer electric shocks when necessary.

Holschuh was grateful to be alive and thankful for Greco's quick thinking and CPR training. Dawn began searching for the CPR instructor who trained Greco at work and found out that employees in her company also received CPR instruction from the same trainer.

The incident emphasized the importance of regular CPR training for employees, especially in industries where emergency situations may arise. The American Heart Association (AHA) offers CPR training programs that are suitable for companies to train their employees. These programs teach essential skills such as adult, child, and infant CPR, the use of AEDs, and choking relief techniques.

Joe Greco's story is a reminder that we never know when we may need to use CPR skills to save a life. By providing regular CPR training to employees, companies can equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to act quickly and potentially save lives in emergency situations.

Learn, Enjoy, and Save Life. Healthforce Training Center offers CPR Training and certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advance Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS), CPR AED, Pediatric First Aid CPR AED, and First Aid CPR AED.

Read more of our blogs.

We offer Heartsaver CPR AED courses in the following locations

CPR AED Class and Certification near Freeport LI New York

CPR AED Class and Certification near Jersey City New Jersey

CPR AED Class and Certification near Jacksonville Florida

CPR AED Class and Certification near Queens New York

CPR AED Class and Certification near Milford Connecticut

CPR AED Class and Certification near Bergenfield New Jersey

CPR AED Class and Certification near Livingston New Jersey

CPR AED Class and Certification near Newington Connecticut

CPR AED Class and Certification near Gainesville Florida

CPR AED Class and Certification near Commack LI New York