A Long Beach Fire Department Engineer and a retired fire captain rescued a high school baseball player after the 14-year-old boy was struck in the chest with a fastball and collapsed in cardiac arrest, fire authorities said Friday.
Long Beach Fire Engineer Steve Roberts and Retired LBFD Captain Jack Lee were off-duty on the afternoon of June 24 and watching Steve's son high school baseball game, at Los Alamitos High School, when the 14-year-old was beaned by the fastball while preparing to bunt, said Capt. Jackawa Jackson.
While sprinting to first base the 14-year-old collapsed unconscious and Roberts and Lee charged onto the field only to find the injured player was Lee's grandson, Jackson said.
Roberts began rescue breathing and Lee began chest compressions. The two continued CPR until the arrival of an Orange County Fire Authority Medic, who began paramedic level treatment. The 14-year-old was rushed to a local hospital where he recovered fully and was released two days later with no serious deficits from his ordeal, Jackson said.
The incident, Jackson said, demonstrates the importance of immediate CPR followed by rapid advanced life support and the training of people to carry out such life-saving efforts.
Roberts is a veteran with 19 years of experience and is currently assigned to Long Beach Fire Station 22. Lee retired as a captain in October of 2006, Jackson said.
"In this instance, the skills learned and frequently practiced on the Long Beach Fire Department allowed these men to function seamlessly at a critical moment and undoubtedly assisted in the successful resuscitation and salvation of this young life."
Long Beach Fire Engineer Steve Roberts and Retired LBFD Captain Jack Lee were off-duty on the afternoon of June 24 and watching Steve's son high school baseball game, at Los Alamitos High School, when the 14-year-old was beaned by the fastball while preparing to bunt, said Capt. Jackawa Jackson.
While sprinting to first base the 14-year-old collapsed unconscious and Roberts and Lee charged onto the field only to find the injured player was Lee's grandson, Jackson said.
Roberts began rescue breathing and Lee began chest compressions. The two continued CPR until the arrival of an Orange County Fire Authority Medic, who began paramedic level treatment. The 14-year-old was rushed to a local hospital where he recovered fully and was released two days later with no serious deficits from his ordeal, Jackson said.
The incident, Jackson said, demonstrates the importance of immediate CPR followed by rapid advanced life support and the training of people to carry out such life-saving efforts.
Roberts is a veteran with 19 years of experience and is currently assigned to Long Beach Fire Station 22. Lee retired as a captain in October of 2006, Jackson said.
"In this instance, the skills learned and frequently practiced on the Long Beach Fire Department allowed these men to function seamlessly at a critical moment and undoubtedly assisted in the successful resuscitation and salvation of this young life."
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