Posted on 10/25/2015
Rescuer Jordan Arnett and survivor, Jeff Arnett

2015 Nominee – Jordan Arnett 
Survivor – Jeff Arnett, 46, Moorpark, California, 46 at time of event (February 16, 2014)
Location of event – Home

My name is Jeff Arnett. I am 46-years-old and a cardiac arrest survivor. On February 16, 2014, I had a cardiac arrest and my 17-year-old daughter found me and saved my life. I would like to nominate my daughter, Jordan Arnett, for the 2015 People Saving People Award.

Please read my story…

Sunday February 16, 2014, was an average day for our family. I went for a three-mile walk with my wife in the morning, worked in the yard, and went out to lunch. My wife left to take our son to a sporting event and I decided to stay home with our other two children. Our youngest son was playing at a neighbor’s house and Jordan and I were watching a movie. She asked me to stop the movie, since she had some homework to finish upstairs.

While upstairs, she heard a noise so she came downstairs to see what it was, and found me sitting in a chair, unresponsive. Jordan knew immediately that something was very wrong. She found the phone (which was underneath the couch) and called 911. The 911 dispatcher asked her several questions and on the fourth question he knew how to help her. He instructed her to put him on speaker phone and grab me by the ankles and get me from the chair to the floor. Once she did that, he instructed her to get around to my side, put her hands on my chest, and pump my chest hard and fast, while reassuring her that help was on the way. 

While Jordan was performing CPR, my youngest son walked in and she told him to leave and get the neighbor. Jordan administered CPR until paramedics and firefighters arrived. My heart stopped three more times, while the paramedics worked on me for 35 minutes in our home. Finally stable I was then transferred to Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks California and was placed on a hypothermia protocol for three days and remained in a medically induced coma on a ventilator for six full days. I developed double pneumonia due to the fact I aspirated, while at home. I recovered in CCU for 12 days and finally left the hospital with an implanted defibrillator and a new appreciation for life.

My daughter Jordan performed bystander CPR, which saved my life that day. I will always share a very special bond with her. Jordan is a quiet hero with great inner strength and I will forever be grateful and thankful to be her dad.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story. 

Nominated by Jeff Arnett

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