How to Save a Life

Steve Bertone uses recent CPR training to save a life

During our busy lives, sometimes we need to make time to pause and thank those who make our work possible. That’s just what our Bettendorf, Iowa employees did when they hosted their first-ever Customer Appreciation event this fall. Not only did they want to thank customers for their continued partnership, but the event allowed us to showcase our facility as well.

Steve immediately took action, got the man out of the car and started performing CPR. A call was made to 911, and Steve continued with CPR until the ambulance arrived four or five minutes later. The paramedics at the scene shook Steve’s hand, telling him that he did a great job. The best news of all is the patient survived, thanks to Steve’s quick reaction and his training. Steve said, “During the event, there was no thought; I just did what had to be done. Afterwards, I was pretty ecstatic!”

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival if it’s performed within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest. 

 That’s exactly why many of our divisions are training employees as first responders. In addition, all Olympic Steel locations have an automated external defibrillator (AED), which is a sophisticated – yet easy-to-use – medical device that can analyze the heart’s rhythm and deliver an electrical shock when necessary to re-establish the heartbeat.

Steve, many kudos to you for taking action and putting your recent Olympic training to such good use.