November 14, 1997

Rescue effort saves life of popular cook

         A Franklin woman who suffered a heart attack at Center Grove High School is alive today, thanks to two co-workers who performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Esther McKinney, 41, who works as a cook in the cafeteria, was in the school kitchen when she collapsed early Wednesday afternoon.  Fortunately, two staff members know CPR rushed to her aid:  Lynn Morris, the principal’s secretary and Stephanie Lynch, a special-education assistant teacher and athletic trainer.  Lynch used artificial respirations and Morris performed chest compressions until the White River Township Fire Department arrived.  Using a portable defibrillator to shock her heart, the ambulance crew re-established a pulse and took McKinney to Community Hospital South. She is now recovering.  “They did a remarkable job and the people as well,” said Principal James Mervilde.

         Wednesday was a half day for Center Grove High School students. Teachers and staff were there all day for Performance-Based Accreditation sessions.  McKinney, who had not been feeling well, suddenly collapsed in the kitchen.  Lynch and Morris were nearby when the call came that someone was down and not breathing.  “She had some oxygen depletion,” Morris said of McKinney’s condition. “She was discolored and attempting to take breaths her own.”  Lynch started mouth-to-mouth respiration.  “We just kept breathing for her until we lost her heartbeat,” said Morris, who began chest compressions to keep the blood flowing. “We started aggressive CPR until the medic crews got here.”  The White River Township Fire Department received a 911 call at 12:44 p.m. Wednesday. The EMAS ambulance and White River rescue truck arrived at 12:48 p.m.  McKinney is recovering in the intensive care unit of Community Hospital South. The hospital did not release her condition.  “Obviously, we’re real concerned about Esther,” Mervilde said. “She’s a great, nice, friendly lady noted for her chili, I might add.  “We’re all thankful that she’s doing better.”  Neither Morris nor Lynch had time to think about the rescue - they just reacted.  “Instinct took over,” Lynch said. This was the first time Lynch had used her CPR training in an emergency. The 23-year-old Greenwood resident was certified in college and has been recertified every year.  I learned it from a textbook. I learned it on a mannequin,” she said.  “This is an actual life you’re dealing with.”  Morris, 29, Greenwood, had used CPR before in her prior career as an EMT for Myers Ambulance Service (now Rural/Metro). She joined Center Grove as a secretary in April 1996.  “I don’t look at it as life-saving,” Morris said. “I think God put us here in the right place at the right time.”  She said that McKinney “is a tough lady. She fought the whole way.  “Without her help, her fight, it wouldn’t have made any difference.”  White River Township Fire Chief Mike Dutton said it was “very encouraging” that two co-workers knew CPR and kept McKinney alive until the defibrillator arrived.  The township fire department uses portable defibrillators that can either be operated manually by a paramedic or automatically by an EMT.  “They’ve done a fantastic job in saving people,” Dutton said.  “I think that CPR is something everybody should know,” Lynch said. “You never can know when it’s going to come in, in an emergency situation.” The Johnson County Chapter of the American Red Cross offers monthly courses in CPR and first aid.  The adult CPR course is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday. Additional classes on infant and child CPR are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday; and general first aid is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. Registration is $25 for the first class or $40 for all three. Call the Red Cross at 535-5959 to register.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

 

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