SAN JOSE (CA) May 30, 2023 — In February 2023, Bruce Richardson saved the life of a man who had collapsed in a parking lot due to cardiac arrest. For this heroic and lifesaving action, Richardson received the Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action in a ceremony in San Jose on May 25, 2023.
“The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is given to individuals like Bruce, who step up in an emergency situation and help save or sustain a life,” said Ken Toren, Executive Director for the Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter. “His willingness to help others in distress is admirable. He exemplifies the mission of the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.”
On February 6, Richardson saw a man collapsing on the parking lot of an auto part shop in Los Gatos, California and immediately sprang to action. The individual in distress was a long-term employee of the shop and was going into cardiac arrest. Richardson performed CPR on the unresponsive man while his coworker called 911 and assisted the man until the first responders arrived.
Richardson worked as a national ski patrolman for 15 years. As part of his professional training, he learned CPR and advanced first aid. It was Bruce's training, quick actions and determination to face this life-threatening situation which saved the man's life.
Get Trained
Red Cross training gives people the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency and save a life. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session) and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.
Nominate Someone
People can go to LifesavingAwards.org to nominate and recognize an individual or group of individuals who have used the skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain a life.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on social media at @RedCross.
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