Kissimmee residents Tanya and Grace Walter saved a life by doing something simple.
They knew CPR. Because of that, they were able to start the “chain of survival” and help Robert Walter survive a cardiac episode. Their quick thinking kicked off an opportunity to save his life.
On Tuesday the Kissimmee Fire Department honored those who were on the April 25 call, from the Walters, to its dispatchers and EMTs on the call, to staff at HCA Florida Osceola Hospital.
And Robert Walter—Grace’s dad and Tanya’s husband—who went into the episode attended as well, thanks to the efforts of all involved.
“We train civilians to recognize an emergency, our responders are trained to teach CPR over the phone,” Kissimmee Fire Chief Jim Walls said. “Our crews arrived on scene quickly to provide support starting with transport to a place of definitive care at HCA Hospital. All of this has to fall into place in order to get the positive outcome we hope for and had on this call.”
But Step One was the care Robert received at home.
“Everything happened correctly, and that’s why we have Mr. Walters here with us today,” Battalion Chief Eric Gentry said. “But every minute in the home where CPR isn’t started is a 10 percent decrease in chances of survival.”
Tanya, trained as a former EMT before she became a kindergarten teacher, and Grace, who spent a summer as a Disney lifeguard and had her own training, went right to work immediately.
“I never thought these skills would ever come into play again,” said Tanya,” who admitted it was Grace who took over the compressions.
Grace said she was getting ready to head out of the house when she “heard something heavy fall in the kitchen” and went running.
“From there, I was a little freaked out my first time ever doing (CPR) was on my dad,” she said. “I had called 911 and the dispatcher (Johanna Santiago) told me to start compressions, and I felt good I had already started. I still can’t believe it and haven’t processed it still.
“The EMTs were in the house for 10 minutes and it felt like 10 years. I started losing hope (he would live), but I knew they weren’t giving up on him.”
Robert received care for eight days, five in ICU, at HCA Florida Osceola Hospital.
“Mr. Walter is here because of the quick response of his family and EMS, who restarted his heart en route,” said HCA Florida Osceola Hospital attending Dr. Layth Alkhairi. “That relieved some of our tension, but we knew there was more to be done.”
Fast forward to Tuesday morning, when the whole family and many of those who were on the call—some of the Tower 11 EMS members were out on calls, likely saving more lives—were reunited and honored.
Robert, a chef by trade who had just accepted a job in Hawaii running a kitchen at a state park, called it all “A part of the price.”
While it was hard to find words to express to those involved—“Congratulations” seemed out of place—Robert came up with something right out of a kitchen: “Well done,” he said to his heroes.
Because of the CPR done in the home, it was done well.
