~ Springfield Runner Gets Second Chance at Life Thanks to CPR-Trained Bystanders

In 2014, Gretchen Cliburn of Springfield was given a second chance at life thanks to the quick actions of CPR-trained bystanders. Cliburn, an avid runner, had collapsed during a race and was saved by two fellow runners who performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

Cliburn recalls the day as a "gorgeous" one, with nothing out of the ordinary happening. She was running with her friend and partner Kathryn and they were ahead of schedule, enjoying the race. However, at mile marker 9 of the half marathon, Cliburn suddenly collapsed without warning.

"The last thing I remember is crossing mile marker 9 and telling Kathryn that we needed to slow down," Cliburn said. "The next thing she heard was the sound of my body hitting the pavement."

Cliburn had suffered a cardiac arrest and did not have a pulse. Thankfully, two other runners who she refers to as "angels" began performing CPR and called 911. They continued until paramedics arrived and were able to defibrillate her heart back into beating. She was then transported to a Springfield hospital where she underwent advanced cardiac procedures while in a medically induced coma.

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Her prognosis ranged from never waking up from the coma to making a full recovery. Cliburn considers herself extremely fortunate that day because of the people who were there with her and performed CPR until EMS arrived.

In celebration of American Heart Month, the Springfield Fire Department, CoxHealth EMS, and Mercy EMS will be providing free hands-only CPR training on four Saturdays in February. The training will take place at two different times each Saturday: 1-2 p.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.

According to medical professionals, early application of bystander CPR and rapid defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) are crucial in improving a person's chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest. This is why the training is being offered to the public, with the hope that more people will be equipped with the skills to save a life in an emergency.

After completing the hands-only CPR training, participants are encouraged to download the free PulsePoint Respond app. This app is 911-connected and notifies CPR-trained individuals of any cardiac arrests in their vicinity so they can provide aid. It also alerts users of the closest available AED.

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Registration for the training is encouraged but not required. Interested individuals can visit https://www.springfieldmo.gov/cpr to reserve their spot. The training will take place at various locations throughout Springfield on different Saturdays in February.

Springfield Fire Chief David Pennington believes that PulsePoint is a powerful tool that can increase survival rates of cardiac arrest in their community. He also notes that for professional responders, the app can improve situational awareness and enhance overall interoperability with neighboring jurisdictions.

Years after her own experience with cardiac arrest, Cliburn continues to encourage everyone she knows to get trained in CPR and download the PulsePoint app now that it's available in the Ozarks.

"You could be that person who gives someone a second chance at life," she said.

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