Kevin Byrtus’s head was hanging over a house pool after he suffered cardiac arrest and collapsed on Feb. 24 in Fort Lauderdale.
Surveillance video shows when a 911 dispatcher told a woman how to perform chest compressions until Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue personnel took over.
A paramedic shocked Byrtus, 59, twice. He was hospitalized for six days at the Broward Health Medical Center. One artery was 95% blocked and another was completely blocked.
Byrtus said he feared that he wouldn’t be able to walk his daughter down the aisle during her wedding next month, so he was grateful for the help.
“They are the true heroes,” Byrtus said. “What they do truly matters in our community.”
Byrtus was still recovering and undergoing rehabilitation when he met his FLFR Station 47 heroes. Deputy Chief Garrett Pingol and Capt. Erik Pecnik the meeting was a rare opportunity.
“For every success story, there are 5 or 10 that are not successful,” Pingol said.
