Train Conductor Heroicly Saves Passenger

This week is National CPR and AED Awareness Week. As an intern at the American Heart Association I’ve learned the importance of being knowledgeable of CPR just in case someone around you needs help. I want to share the story of a CPR Hero named Kevin Bartsch, a train conductor and former volunteer firefighter EMT, who was able to save the life of one of his passengers because he was trained in CPR.

It was a normal workday on the F train for conductor Kevin Bartsch before passengers were in distress and calling for help. Bartsch noticed that a passenger was slumped over his seat, was unconscious and had blue lips. He recognized these symptoms as signs of cardiac arrest due to his past EMT training.

Bartsch immediately called for help and began performing CPR. He was doing chest compression for about 5 minutes until help arrived and was encouraged to continue while the EMT was setting up the AED.

“I notice, as I’m still doing compressions on the guy, the gentleman, his arm starts twitching off the floor. What the hell was that? I’m still going, I’m still going, and then the guy is back. No defibrillator. And the guy is completely back,” Bartsch said.

The passenger suddenly regained consciousness because of Bartsch’s efforts and was transported to the hospital. Then, Bartsch then continued with the rest of his typical workday. Bartsch’s CPR training and heroic actions saved the passenger’s life

“Would I do it again? In a heartbeat,” Bartsch said. “I know I would. It’s not me to not get involved with something like that.”

On October 29, 2018 the American Heart Association presented Bartsch with the Heart Hero Award for his act of heroism.