ASHI and MEDIC First Aid Blog

What better way to help bring 2019 to a close than with an inspiring good Samaritan story?

Stephen Kazimir, CHST, Senior Safety Consultant with Avitus Group, is not only an awesome ASHI and MEDIC First Aid instructor; he also put his skills to use when they were needed the most.

An article on the Avitus Group website tells the tale:

Kazimir was in Alabama the week of January 14, 2019, conducting worksite safety and injury prevention visits. On his way home, Kazimir encountered an emergency situation and ended up saving a life at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. 

According to Avitus Group’s Director of Safety Bill Kane, Kazimir arrived early for his flight with plans to make some calls and catch up on administrative work. While in the concourse, he heard an alarm going off nearby and moved toward the sound only to find an open AED cabinet door signaling that the life-saving device was being accessed. He also saw a passenger at his gate that had collapsed. 

“There was a gathering of distressed people nearby and when I saw another passenger performing chest compressions incorrectly, I rushed to see if I could assist. I was able to step in and correct the situation until medical services could arrive,” says Kazimir.

“Steve’s situational awareness, willingness and quick response resulted in reviving a gentleman named “Ray from Texas.” Steve was able to properly place the AED cartridges, conduct multiple rounds of compression-only CPR and control a chaotic scene until medical technicians arrived and took over…,”says Kane. 

Our good Samaritan instructor ticked all the boxes: well-performed skills, proper AED pad placements, and keeping the scene safe and controlled. Thank you, Stephen, for your dedication to excellence in CPR, AED, and first aid training.

As we embrace this special holiday time with those we cherish, let’s give a moment of thanks for all the bystanders who have come to the aid of someone in need. Because of their confidence to respond, there are families throughout our workplaces and communities who still have their loved ones with them. What a wonderful gift.

From everyone at HSI, we wish you and your family a safe and joyous holiday.

HSI holiday hours: The HSI offices will be closed December 25, 2019 and January 1, 2020. Our warehouse will be closed December 24-25, 2019 and January 1-2, 2020. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. Central Time on Monday, December 23 will be shipped Thursday, December 26, 2019. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 will be shipped Friday, January 3, 2020.