For two police officers, a routine patrol in Long Island City on Tuesday turned into a moment of heroism.
Officers William Caldarera and Corey Sarro of the 108th Precinct saw a crowd of people gathering around a man lying motionless on the sidewalk in front of LaGuardia Community College, located at 29-10 Thomson Ave., cops said. Caldarera approached the 66-year-old man and discovered he did not have a heartbeat and was not breathing.
Sarro then began to conduct chest compressions, while an ambulance had been requested. Using a defibrillator provided by a public safety officer, Caldarera and Sarro attached the machine to the man’s chest, according to police. After a second shock, the man’s heartbeat returned and he resumed breathing.
Emergency personnel arrived at the scene and the man was taken to Elmhurst Hospital in critical but stable condition.
Although both Caldarera and Sarro had experience with CPR while off duty, this incident was their first time having to use a defibrillator.
Both officers said it felt great once they were able to revive the man and get him to breathe again.
“There is really no feeling to describe it,” Sarro said. “It was a relief to be able to save him.”
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