By EMS1 Staff
HOUSTON — A handful of tailgaters, including a paramedic, are being credited with saving a man’s life prior to an NFL game last weekend.
ABC13.com reported that Houston Texans fan Gary Reimers collapsed in the tailgating parking lot. A nearby nurse and paramedic jumped in to help.
“There was a gentleman on his side and he was breathing,” nurse Leslie Bennett said. “He had a pulse.”
Paramedic Darrell Fales helped after they lost Reimers’ pulse.
“It’s a team effort,” Fales said. “We do this to try to help and save people. You have to realize you can’t save all people but when you do, it’s a good feeling.”
Once responders arrived on scene, Reimers had a pulse again, according to the report.
In order to perform CPR, Fales said they had to cut apart Reimers’ J.J. Watt jersey.
“Those things aren’t cheap,” Fales said. “They’re like $150. I’ll be more than happy to get him another one. I think they said if we had to, we’ll take up a collection.”
Reimers is recovering and will be out of the hospital soon.
“I’d like to shake his hand, or give him a hug and tell him I’m sorry for cutting his jersey,” Fales said. “I’m glad he’s still here with us and able to go to more Texans games.”