In a remarkable display of quick thinking and courage, an 11-year-old Girl Scout turned her recently acquired CPR skills into lifesaving action when her father suffered a sudden cardiac emergency. The incident, which occurred in Virginia Beach, demonstrates how vital emergency response training can be, even for young children.
Lifesaving skills put to the test
Vada Carawan found herself in a terrifying situation when her father, Clinton, began experiencing severe chest pain at their home. “He kept saying that his chest hurt. He told me it was heart attack symptoms,” Vada recalled. Moments later, Clinton collapsed and started struggling to breathe.
Without hesitation, Vada called 911 and began performing chest compressions on her father. For five to seven minutes, she maintained CPR while the 911 dispatcher helped her keep count, even as the family dog, Maggie, attempted to rouse Clinton by pawing at him.
Recent training proves crucial
Just 11 days before the emergency, Vada had participated in CPR training during her Girl Scout meeting. “I was actually the only person in my whole class to successfully save our dummy because when you do CPR, the dummy has lights, and if it’s green, you’re doing it correctly,” she explained.
Dr. Deepak Talreja, cardiology leader at Sentara Health, explained that Clinton had experienced sudden cardiac death. “It’s a sudden event. It happens with no warning whatsoever, and a person just collapses to the ground with no heartbeat and no pulse, they’re clinically dead,” he said.
Medical intervention and recovery
After Vada’s crucial intervention, emergency responders transported Clinton first to Sentara Virginia Beach General and then to Sentara’s Heart Hospital in Norfolk. According to Dr. Talreja, “CPR kept blood flow going to his brain, so his brain could receive oxygen until his heart could be restarted again. Unquestionably, she saved his life that night.”
The experience prompted Clinton to make significant lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking, which he believes contributed to his heart attack. “Pretty easy after waking up from your deathbed,” he remarked. “I don’t have any urge for it, and if I do, I just think about laying in that bed.” He also improved his diet, switching to healthier options like chicken and vegetables while avoiding fast food.
National recognition and inspiration
The story gained national attention, leading to Vada’s appearance on the “Tamron Hall Show.” Her mother, Amanda Carawan, proudly stated, “She got to be his hero.”
Vada’s message to other young people remains powerful: “You can do anything that you put your mind to, no matter how old you are. Some kids are saying that they can’t do stuff because they’re too little or not strong enough to do it. But I don’t believe that whatsoever.”
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
