ACWORTH, Ga. — Two Acworth Police officers happened to be at the right place at the right time to perform life-saving measures on a man who started having a seizure last week.
This took place May 3 at the RaceTrac gas station located at 5001 Allatoona Gateway when they noticed man in distress, the police department said. Officers were just there to pick up something to drink when it happened.
The man was leaning against his car when he started sliding to the ground and having a seizure. Body camera video captured Officers Severtson and Stanley on video.
Acworth Police shared more than 20 minutes of video from the scene. Here's a brief clip of the most critical period. 11Alive has blurred the face of the patient to conceal his identity. We've outlined how the life-saving moments unfolded below the video.
"Breathe for me"
The video starts with the officers running over to the man as soon as they notice something is wrong.
One of the officers yells, "Are you OK?"
The other other radio's it in that a man needs help at their location. They noticed that he was not breathing, so they repositioned him on the ground to begin CPR with chest compressions.
"Breathe for me, breathe for me, breathe for me," one of the officers says as they continue CPR.
After a short while, the officers switch and take turns giving CPR.
"He's turning purple," you can hear in the video.
Eventually, the man is back breathing. You can see him attempting to gasp for air.
"We got him, we got him, we got him," one of the officers says.
A moment of gratitude
After the officers were able to get him breathing, they attempted to keep him calm.
"You're OK, we are right here with you, OK," an officer says.
They continuously reassure him that they are there to help. And even through all of the chaos, the man begins to mumble and responds: "I appreciate it."
It was a moment of gratitude that could be felt through the video.
A few minutes later, he recalled to the officers his medical history and what happened when he fell ill. He said he started feeling lightheaded. They explained to him that he stopped breathing and that his ribs might have been cracked from them performing CPR.
"I love limousines"
Another officer joins Severson and Stanley to aid the man. They tell him they will stay with him and give him the "royal treatment" and he cracked a smile and laughed.
When the paramedics arrived, the officers recounted what happened. His vitals are also checked at the scene.
He was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
"Your limousine is here for ya," an officer says jokingly.
"Oh yeah, I love limousines," he replied.
The man told police he was having an issue with his car while he was there. So, before the officers left the scene, they made sure to push his vehicle to the side.
"A life was saved"
The police department shared the officers' good deeds with the community in a Facebook post.
"Thanks to the quick actions and training of Officers Severtson and Officer Stanley, a life was saved," posts reads.
Dozens of people thanked the officers in the comments.
"Y'all are awesome," one person said. "Thanks for all you do!!"
"Outstanding effort by both of you officers! The citizens of Acworth are blessed to have you both serving the community," another said.