The staff of the wrestling team can be viewed as coaches, teachers, and by a certain few, as life-savers.

Last year, new head wrestling Coach Mr. McConnell revived a neighbor who had fallen to the ground and entered cardiac arrest. Former wrestling coach Mr. Beirao helped to secure the safety of a student who had severed an artery in his arm, and nearly bled to death. Last week, another member of the wrestling coaching staff, Mr. Hart, joined the rescue team as he saved a man’s life on Route 130.

After wrestling on practice on Friday, Dec. 18, assistant coach Mr. Hart began his daily trek home via Route 130.

“I saw a car on the right smoking, and it had crashed into a telephone pole,” Mr. Hart explained.

Most would have immediately attended to the man in the vehicle, but Mr. Hart was able to act rationally under the circumstances. He made sure to position his car so that no other vehicles would hit the burning car which was clearly not being moved any time soon. Once he parked in the middle of Route 130, Mr. Hart quickly rushed to assist the unconscious man out of the burning vehicle.

With three other bystanders helping, the man was pulled out of the burning car. Once out of the car, Hart could not find a pulse on the victim who was foaming at the mouth.

In an attempt to regain a pulse Hart, “started CPR compression until the cops showed up and used the AED.” An AED is a portable device that will send electric shocks to the heart to help revive its rhythm, while simultaneously checking the current condition of the heart.

The AED eventually got the victim’s heart to start pumping blood again and he slowly began breathing. Mr. Hart was properly prepared as a first responder, unlike most who would find their selves in this situation.

“I’ve known CPR since I started lifeguarding when I was fifteen, but now I got recertified for coaching,” he shared.

Hart further stated that CPR is a basic skill that everyone should know, especially because one never knows when it will come in handy.

Although you can never truly be prepared for an emergency situation, it’s important to know the routine procedures one would have to take. In the most recent incident regarding Mr. Hart, although he acted rashly, correctly, efficiently, and calmly, mentally he was quite taken by surprise.

“As for my thoughts during the whole ordeal it was pretty scary to see a person like that, so close to death, but it’s important not to hesitate and to stay calm,” he concluded.

Hart has been informed by a policeman (and former student) that the victim is being taken care of and is okay.