Jackie Rahm, a Red Cross volunteer instructor who helps the St. Louis Area Chapter train more than 85,000 people each year in CPR, first aid and automated external defibrillators (AEDs), never expected to use those skills to save the life of her own husband. But that’s exactly what happened on August 13, 2006.

Jackie had just returned from an out-of-town trip and had been home for only two hours when her husband Bob lapsed into cardiac arrest. The two had just gone to bed when Bob suddenly sat up as though he was uncomfortable. Jackie looked over at him and he was staring straight ahead. She tried tapping him and raised her voice, but Bob was completely unresponsive.

Jackie called 911, ran down the hall to open the front door, and turned on the porch light. She wanted to make sure the house was easy to find and didn’t want to have to stop caring for Bob to open the front door when help arrived.

Jackie immediately returned to the bedroom and began CPR, continuing cycles of chest compressions and rescue breaths for nearly seven minutes. When paramedics arrived to take over Bob’s care, the medical team used a defibrillator to restore his heart’s normal rhythm before rushing him to the hospital.

The seven minutes of CPR administered by Jackie was the crucial link in Bob’s cardiac chain of survival. Doctors credit her immediate and unrelenting efforts for his recovery.

In 2006, Jackie received and American Red Cross Lifesaver Award for her heroic actions. Today, Jackie continues to champion Red Cross health and safety training throughout the St. Louis community. Her heroism continues to inspire others to get trained in lifesaving CPR and First Aid.

Click here for more information on the St. Louis Area Chapter's Lifesaver Awards.

To read more stories of Red Cross volunteers and donors, click here.