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A quick-thinking Kansas mother is being praised for saving her son’s life after performing CPR while receiving step-by-step guidance from a 911 dispatcher. The family is now sharing their experience to highlight why CPR training is essential for everyone.
Teen Suffers Sudden Cardiac Arrest at Home
In November, 18-year-old Amarion Sanchez-Thompson collapsed unexpectedly at home after going into cardiac arrest. The frightening moment unfolded without warning.
His mother, Cyndi Sanchez, recalls hearing her son gasp for air before a loud thud alerted her that something was seriously wrong. She rushed to the bathroom and found him unconscious on the floor and not breathing.
911 Dispatcher Guides Life-Saving CPR
Panicked but determined, Cyndi immediately called 911. The dispatcher instructed her to turn her son over, put the phone on speaker, and begin CPR. Calmly and clearly, the dispatcher coached her through each step.
For several intense minutes, Cyndi performed chest compressions as instructed. She later described those moments as feeling endless, even though help was on the way.
Soon after, emergency medical technicians arrived at the scene.
Paramedics Restore Pulse, Doctors Credit CPR
When paramedics reached Amarion, they discovered his heart was still not beating properly. They administered three defibrillator shocks before successfully restoring a pulse.
Doctors later told the family that early CPR was the deciding factor between survival and tragedy. Without those immediate chest compressions, the outcome could have been very different.
Rare Outcome: No Lasting Brain Damage
After spending several days in intensive care and being transferred to a hospital in Wichita, Amarion made an extraordinary recovery.
Doctors confirmed he suffered no permanent brain damage, an outcome they described as extremely rare after cardiac arrest.
Cyndi says the family feels incredibly fortunate and grateful for that result.
“She’s My Hero,” Son Says
When Amarion woke up and learned what had happened, the reality was hard to absorb. Knowing his mother had kept him alive left a lasting impression.
He now proudly calls her his hero, crediting her actions with saving his life and giving him a second chance.
Why Learning CPR Can Make You a First Responder
Motivated by their experience, Cyndi and Amarion are urging others to learn hands-only CPR. They stress that emergencies can happen anywhere, and bystanders are often the first people on the scene.
Health organizations point out that learning hands-only CPR takes only minutes but can dramatically improve survival chances. In cardiac emergencies, every second counts.
This powerful story from Kansas shows how CPR knowledge can turn an ordinary person into a lifesaver. With calm guidance from a dispatcher and the courage to act, a mother gave her son a future.
Their message is clear: learning CPR is simple, accessible, and can mean the difference between life and death when it matters most.