RICHARDSON, Texas — Christopher Pinzel is thankful for several people who saved his life following a cardiac arrest in early August.
Pinzel was on his daily five-mile walk when he collapsed near Andrew Laska's home in Richardson. Laska and Pinzel never really knew each other as the two only ever shared quick hand waves while out on walks.
"One second I saw him walking, the next second, he was lying down," said Laska.
Laska called 911 and performed CPR on Pinzel who appeared to be unresponsive. After a short time, a group of neighbors and bystanders arrived to the scene. The 911 dispatcher talked Laska through how to perform CPR correctly, including the timing of the compressions. Laska said he was vaguely familiar with CPR through training videos but was thankful for the dispatcher and her instructions.
"That was textbook. Mr. Laska is the first link in the chain" said Quinton Wallace of Medical City Dallas.
At an event honoring Laska at the Richardson Fire Department, the Richardson Fire/EMS crews that quickly responded to the scene were recognized. Also recognized were the dispatcher, Medical City Dallas, and Medical City Heart Hospital, where Chris was treated. The family tells WFAA he needed surgery to put in a defibrillator.
"It took every single person to do their part," said Pinzel's wife Susan. "I'm alive because people are good," said Pinzel.
Susan called Laska "our God's Angel." It's a bond between neighbors that has been forged for life. Christopher hopes to return to his daily walks soon, and when he does, he knows he’ll be walking by Laska’s place.
"I’ll be giving him a hug every day," he joked. "He’ll get sick of it!" Pinzel laughed.