Heart heroes save man’s life

He is a Ponca City firefighter and she was the wrestling team's mat maid and together they saved a man's life.

Wednesday, August 27th 2008, 7:17 pm

By: News 9


By Kirsten McIntyre, NEWS 9

He is a Ponca City firefighter and she was the wrestling team's mat maid and together they saved a man's life.

Wesley Atkins was at wrestling camp when his heart stopped. Four Oklahoma State University trainers used CPR and a defibrillator to save his life. His coach can't wipe the memory from his mind.

"Seeing him look at me with a blank stare, in my mind he was dead," Ponca City High School Wrestling Coach Chris Walker said.

Coach Walker thought about quitting, but stayed when the school board bought defibrillators. The defibrillator machine made the trip to Kansas City last December for a wrestling tournament. Jim Stoll was there to watch his youngest son.

"All of a sudden I got real dizzy and passed out," Stoll said.

On his days off, Rick Baird works construction. But that day, the off duty firefighter knew exactly what to do.

"I started doing CPR on the gentleman," Baird said.

Chelsea Dyer also knew what to do; she ran for the defibrillator.

"We've been trained when someone goes down, you go get it," Dyer said.

"The defibrillator is what saved his life," Baird said.

Stoll considers Baird and Dyer his angels. He said his life is forever changed.

"They saved my life, what more can I say?" Stoll said.

Baird and Dyer are just thankful they were there and Stoll is back to normal.

He went to several heart specialists, but no one could determine why his heart stopped that day.

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