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Nothing big, they just saved his life is all.

Porter, 55, was at work in the mill’s control room July 6 when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. He doesn’t remember the heart attack, but he remembers waking up in the hospital and being told that his co-workers had saved his life using their training and an automatic external defibrillator.

“I’ll never look at these guys the same way again,” Porter said.

The saviours included Tiffany Johnson, Nevada Torrence, Cathy Baker, Steve Blank, Tim Morris, Steve Ratte, Lonnie Simonson, Richard Swanson, Bryan Blazejak, Jay Pederson and Matt King.

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Back in May, one of the employees at ECR International suffered a heart attack in the Customer Service Department. A signal code red alerted other employees in the building who are trained as first responders and the employee’s pulse was restored with an automated external defibrillator.

Director of Human Resources Johnita DeMatteo says the incident was life changing for all involved.

“I was really very concerned about the employee, hoping that he was going to be okay,” DeMatteo said. “I just did what I had to do. I really didn’t think about it. Your adrenaline kicks in and you just do what you have to do.”

The contractor, 24-year-old Zaed Quituqa of Haledon, was listed in critical condition at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton this evening, he said.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) initiated by Quituqa’s coworkers and continued by Officer Shawn Carroll and Sgt. Michael Yeh, along with the use by the police officers of an automated external defibrillator (AED), was credited with saving Quituqa’s life, Edgar said.

Standing on the elevated platform of a scissor-type lift, Quituqa and a coworker from I & T Electrical Lighting of Paterson were working on overhead lights in the public works garage in the 200 block Bakers Basin Road when the accident happened about 3:15 p.m., Edgar said.

Police are still investigating exactly what happened, he said, but somehow Quituqa came in contact with electricity.

When his coworker realized Quituqa was being shocked, the coworker used his foot to kick Quituqa clear of the lighting and anything else he might have been touching, such as the metal rails for one of the garage’s overhead doors, according to Edgar. The coworker was not hurt, he said.

The coworker quickly lowered the lift and he and others moved Quituqa from the lift to the floor. He was not breathing and had no pulse at that time, Edgar said.

While a public works employee dialed 911 to request assistance, he said, Quituqa’s coworkers started CPR.

Carroll and Yeh soon arrived. Confirming that Quituqa was in cardiac arrest, they connected a defibrillator to Quituqa and delivered an electrical pulse to his body in the hope the targeted shock would jumpstart his heart into beating correctly again, Edgar said. After the delivering the shock, Carroll and Yeh resumed CPR.

After about two minutes of them performing CPR, Quituqa’s heart began beating again and he started to breathe, he said.

Lawrence Township Emergency Medical Service personnel and paramedics from Capital Health System then arrived to take over patient care. They quickly bundled Quituqa into an ambulance and rushed him to the hospital in Trenton.

Dr Art Meeker the Survivor

Carr was applying Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within a minute of Meeker falling to the ground, a process he maintained until the ambulance arrived.

He was rushed to the Royal Hobart Hospital with paramedics needing to apply defibrillator paddles twice in an endeavour to keep Meeker alive.

Mixed messages emerged with many industry participants convinced he had passed away but Meeker had other ideas.

He was placed in an induced coma for about 24 hours and late on Friday afternoon he was awake and talking to his wife Shirley and family members who had gathered at his bedside fearing the worst.

“I remember going to Royston’s stables but I have no recollection of what happened from then to when I woke up yesterday,” Meeker said yesterday from his ICU bed.

“I believe I owe my life to Royston so I’m looking forward to thanking him when I get back to his stables, which will hopefully be in the very near future,” he said.

Meeker expects to remain in hospital for at least a few more days.

“They will do an angiogram tomorrow (Sunday) to try and detect what may have caused the heart attack and then we’ll take things from there.”

“To be honest I feel really good and if it wasn’t for people telling me that I was in a very bad way I’d be pushing to get out of this place and go back to work.”

“I believe some people wrote me off but I’m still here and I mean to stay around for quite a bit longer,” he said.

Meghan Pituch, 26, a graphic artist and analyst who’s worked at the Montreal-based IT company for four years, jumped out of her seat and ran toward the commotion. She found her colleague, 62-year-old Bruce Strissel, slumped over in his chair. Some coworkers froze in fear while others ran to dial 911 or fled in search of help.

Pituch got moving, too – toward Strissel. She and Donna Jordan, a colleague who works for BAE Systems, performed CPR on the government worker while another colleague Barbara Gault, who is certified in CPR, supervised them until the paramedics arrived. Because of their quick thinking and swift action, Strissel is alive and well today.

To recognize their efforts, the American Heart Association (AHA); the DC City Council; and DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services honored the three women as Heartsaver Heroes at a ceremony at the City Council steps on June 2. Part of National CPR Week, they each received a framed award certificate and a letter of recognition from DC Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.

“Even though Meghan was not certified in CPR at the time, she, Barbara and Donna demonstrated that being active responders saves lives,” said Cheryl Campbell, senior vice president at CGI and a member of AHA’s Mid-Atlantic Affiliate Board of Directors. “This shows you simply cannot be a passive bystander in times of an emergency medical crisis.”

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Lloyd Clausen, 57, a contract manager for lines company Orion, suffered a cardiac arrest while at work on March 31, but was revived by CPR-trained workmates. He was with a colleague in the cafeteria when he lost consciousness.

Lloyd Clausen the Survivor

“Apparently my eyes rolled back and I just collapsed on the floor,” he said.

“[The colleague] tried the pericardial thump, which is the big `boomph’ on the chest, and that didn’t do anything. He yelled at the top of his voice, and that brought people running.”

More Orion staff arrived with the company’s defibrillator that Clausen had lobbied for, while others continued CPR. A single electrical charge restarted Clausen’s heart before he was rushed to hospital for surgery.

Doctors told him his condition had only a 2 per cent survival rate.

A defibrillator at Christchurch International Airport prompted Clausen’s push to have one at Orion. The resuscitation was a “team effort”.

“Someone didn’t want me to die,” he said. “I don’t think the guys see themselves as heroes, but I’m grateful. How do you thank people like that?”

Clausen said he “probably wouldn’t be here” had he been anywhere else at the time

“Luckily for me, we had the machine there, we had the people there trained to use it, and also people with CPR training.”

Electrical workers receive emergency training as part of their registration.

Clausen, a volunteer firefighter in Leeston, said he had experience as a rescuer and knew his workmates were scared.

“I’ve done [CPR] on people I don’t know and I’ve done it on people I do know, so I know the pressure’s on when it’s someone you know,” he said.

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I was the first one to spot him,” said Darwin Sellers, a 39-year employee who’s known Branden for years. “He was flat on the floor, motionless. His helmet was about 5 feet away from him. He absolutely didn’t move.”

Sellers ran to a nearby office and called the plant emergency number. He knew he didn’t have time to check for vital signs when he first found his friend.

“It was like an inner instinct,” Sellers said. “If he was hurt in some way, he’d be moving. I thought then that it might have been too late because of his color.”

While Sellers was on the phone, Jordan Williamson was on his way to Branden.

“I tried to get Tom to respond,” Williamson said. “He wasn’t breathing.”

The 20-year-old had no medical training, he said, “so I just stayed with him until someone came, and kept trying to get him to respond.”

Supervisors in Branden’s area reached him within seconds and began chest compressions and resuscitation.

The on-site medical team reached Branden on the heels of the supervisors, bringing an automated external defibrillator, or AED.

The AED, which automatically diagnoses heart rhythms, was attached to Branden. A shock was advised; the team delivered it. Branden’s heart responded.

First taken to Austin Medical Center, Branden was then flown by helicopter to Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

All nine people involved had a specific role to play, Sellers said — and something else did, too. Call it coincidence, luck, a miracle; whatever the word, the rescue team had it.

Sellers, for example, was using a time clock he normally didn’t use. Had he punched in at a different site, he wouldn’t have seen Branden on the floor.

One of Branden’s supervisors had completed the annual CPR training that morning, the other had finished the day before.

“I’d like to thank Hormel Food Corp. for having everything here,” Branden said later at the Heartsaver Hero presentations, “and everyone here who worked on me. If it wasn’t for Hormel Foods, I wouldn’t be here today.”

A 26-year Hormel employee, Branden was saved by one of 14 AED units installed around the Austin Plant. With 150 employees trained in the use of the defibrillators, Branden’s rescue was swift and effective.

All who responded said the most rewarding part of this crisis is seeing Branden alive today.

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It was about 2 p.m. and Reiley had just climbed aboard one of the StairMaster machines in the Wellness Center. Paul Gehring, executive director at the Ron Rosner Family YMCA in Spotsylvania County, was visiting the Massad branch and standing beside Reiley, talking to his boss while he exercised.

Barney Reiley the Survivor

Gehring knew that Reiley had just started his workout, so he was surprised to see him stop. Usually Reiley is “an animal” on the StairMaster and will go for long periods at a torrid pace, Gehring said.

But this time, he stepped off the machine, and still clutching it, rested his head on his arms.

“When he came up, his eyes were just glazed over,” Gehring said.

“Are you OK?” Gehring asked.

Reiley did not answer.

Instead, he fell backward, hitting the treadmill behind him, then crashing face-first into the glass wall beside the exercise machines.

“It sounded pretty bad when he hit,” Gehring said.

At first, Gehring thought Reiley had fainted. His breathing was labored, but he had a pulse.

Other staff and patrons in the room moved the machines to make room. They helped Gehring, who was cradling Reiley’s head, turn him on his back, and Gehring banged on the glass and told those at the front desk to call 911.

By then, Reiley had turned gray, and when Gehring felt for a pulse, he could not find one.

Like many YMCA employees, Gehring has been trained in first aid and CPR, so he started chest compressions. It was the first time he had used his training.

Soon three squad members from Stafford’s Rescue Station 1, the Falmouth station next door, were kneeling beside Gehring.

Gehring said that the rescue workers got there so fast that he went back later to see how long it took. Four minutes, he discovered.

One of the squad members took over the chest compressions. Another used a bag mask to help with breathing, and another cut off Reiley’s shirt, dried his chest and attached a defibrillator. One shock from the machine restored his normal heart rhythm.

Gehring, meanwhile, looked through the glass toward the front desk. Several employees and patrons had gathered there to watch.

“They either had shock on their face, or they were crying,” Gehring said.

Today, Reiley is recovering and under the care of a cardiologist. But his heart was not damaged, and he is exercising again and back at work.

He said he had no history of heart problems, no warning before the collapse and no memory of it afterward. He learned two days later, after being airlifted to the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, that one of his coronary arteries was at least 60 percent blocked, and another was at least 70 percent blocked.

Apparently a piece of plaque broke loose from one of the blockages to cause the attack. Doctors placed three stents in his arteries to open them.

Reiley said he’s resolved to continue exercising and to eat better, with fewer fats and sweets. His doctor has recommended that he lose about 25 pounds.

“I’m not obese, but I’m a big guy,” he said. “As I get older, I need to have a lighter frame.” He’s also grateful for the support provided by his wife, Kim, and their three children. And he’s proud of the YMCA staff and glad that they had been trained in CPR.

“It is so ironic that I head up an organization that saved my life,” he said.

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The Whiteoak Ford employee sat down last Dec. 22 and his heart stopped.

He was vital signs absent when he was noticed and service employee Steve LeDrew, 32, applied cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Stewart, who celebrated his 66th birthday Monday.

Mississauga firefighters were so impressed by LeDrew’s “unselfish and exemplary” efforts that they gave him a Fire Chief’s Certificate of Recognition award Tuesday.

“I didn’t feel well,” recalled Stewart, who’s been with the dealership 26 years.

LeDrew, who’s trained in CPR, said fellow employee Suz-Ann Currie alerted him about Stewart passed out in a chair and then “I did an assessment and realized he was unconscious and not breathing.

“I picked him out of his chair and lay him on the floor,” he said. “It was so surreal, I couldn’t believe it was happening. It was quite the adrenaline rush.”

LeDrew added it was an “early Christmas present” to see him alive and well.

LeDrew, following the routines of CPR and the prompts by the automated voice of the on-site defibrillator, shocked Stewart twice before Peel EMS and Mississauga firefighters arrived at the Mavis Rd. dealership.

“It was a very good feeling” seeing Stewart return to work a few months after the heart attack to resume cleaning cars and the showroom.

“It feels nice” to receive the award, but LeDrew doesn’t think he’s a hero, even though Stewart does.

“I feel good,” Stewart said, shaking LeDrew’s hand.

LeDrew said he encourages everyone to learn first-aid.

Mississauga Fire Capt. Bob Kirkpatrick said firefighters found “Steve doing CPR and had the company’s defibrillator hooked up, which surprised us a little bit.

“We’re used to seeing it in a more public environment like a hockey rink,” he said.

Kirkpatrick said it’s key that private firms provide on-site defibrillators.

“Today we see the outcome of how it could save a life,” Kirkpatrick said. “Obviously, he (LeDrew) did great. You look at the outcome, and the outcome couldn’t be better.”

Dealership customer Glenn Marshall, 70, listened to the award being handed out.

Two years ago, he died while playing basketball at a Mississauga recreation centre. Staff began CPR and used an on-site defibrillator.

“I was totally dead when the workers … put the defibrillator on, but shortly thereafter, the police and the paramedics arrived,” Marshall said.

When he awoke in hospital, his doctor welcomed him back, told the retired school principal he was luckiest man around and asked him what he experienced on the other side.

Fred Newton the Saviour

One man collapsed last week, but his co-worker came to the rescue. And even though he’s being called a hero, he says there’s plenty of praise to go around.

“Hero? No, I’m not a hero. I’m just a guy trying to make a living,” said Fred Newton.

Humble words came from construction worker Fred Newton, who was credited with saving his friends life.

Newton dialed 911 when his co-worker collapsed at Fenway Park last week.

The man was working along the right sideline bleachers, when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest.

“It was a scary feeling, it really was,” said Newton.

Keeping things calm on the other end of the line was Boston dispatcher Jen Archila.

“He was very understandably upset. Pretty frantic. I was just trying to calm him down and talk him through and keep him focused on steps,” said Archila.

She instructed Newton on how to perform CPR, and after several minutes, the victim began breathing again.

“Everybody handled everything very well. The response time was great. It was great to see him come out of it,” said Newton.

It was a life saving lesson, and now Newton thinks everyone should know CPR.

“It’s good to know. You never know what’s gonna happen. You never expect it, but you gotta be ready for it,” said Newton.

Newton continued CPR until help arrived. The victim was rushed to the hospital, and he’s since made a full recovery.