Man Who Suffered Cardiac Arrest Reunited With Rescuer

FAIRFAX, VA — A reunion took place Thursday between a man who suffered cardiac arrest and the woman who saved him.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue says Virginia Hilliard helped save Bob Feden, 78, by performing hands-only CPR. Feden had collapsed while delivering a eulogy at a home in Fairfax County. Hilliard performed CPR for about six minutes until paramedics and firefighters arrived. Medics used a defibrillator twice, and Feden was alert and talking upon arrival at the hospital.

"When the doctor came out of the emergency room, he told somebody that I was a very lucky person. Well, I don't think luck had anything to do with it," said Feden in remarks Thursday. "It was skill, professionalism and time, the timeliness of what you all did."

Members of the fire department, as well as family and friends, were present for the reunion. The fire department encouraged Fairfax County residents to learn hands-only CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). A free hands-only CPR training open house will be held Saturday Feb. 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Burke Fire Station bingo hall, 9501 Old Burke Lake Road, Burke.