Jayden Rodriguez has been named winner of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation’s 2023 “People Saving People Award” for helping save the life of Amy Sauro on November 24, 2020. The announcement and award presentation took place at the Citizen CPR Foundation’s Cardiac Arrest Survival Summit in San Diego, CA. The purpose of the award is to highlight the critical need for laypersons to take charge and help save lives in sudden cardiac emergencies.
Sudden cardiac arrest affects about 1,000 people in community settings every day in the U.S. On average, only 10 percent of victims survive. Yet, when bystanders act quickly and decisively by calling 911, starting CPR, and using the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED), survival rates can be as high as 50 percent.
Amy and Jayden worked out at the same gym and had become friends. The remarkable rescue occurred at her home in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Amy had contacted Jayden, then 22, asking him to stay at her house for a while to make sure she was okay. She went to bed asking him to lock the door when he left.
Jayden sensed something was off and so he waited in the living room. Later he heard “a loud snoring noise” coming from Amy’s bedroom. He rushed there and saw that her face was turning white, her eyes were rolling back, and her lips were turning purple. He immediately called 911, lifted her off the bed, and started CPR. He continued CPR for eight minutes until EMS arrived.
After EMS took over, Jayden went above and beyond by searching social media to find her relatives and advise them of the situation.
“I have listened to the entire 911 call and am unbelievably blown away at how focused and calm he was able to remain during this terrifying situation,” said Amy.
In recognizing Jayden, Mary Newman, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation president, said there were dozens of nominations for the award, and it was challenging to select just one winner. “Everyone wins when people nearby act quickly and decisively to help victims of sudden cardiac arrest,” she said. “Reviewers ultimately decided that this case clearly exemplified the critical importance of immediate bystander action when sudden cardiac arrest occurs.”
Amy accepted the award on Jayden’s behalf. He will also receive a ZOLL AED donated by CoroMed that he may give to a location of his choice.