If it hadn’t been for Army 2nd Lt. Jason Ausman’s serendipitous and swift timing, Dick Talley might not be alive today. After suffering cardiac arrest right after doing a few laps in a go-cart at Autobahn Indoor Speedway in Jessup, Maryland, Talley became unconscious and unresponsive.

As it so happened, Ausman was just about to take a few spins in the go-cart as well and came out to the track just as Talley had become unconscious. Tally’s heart was stopped for 30 seconds before Ausman rushed over to give assistance.

Ausman, who spent eight years as a paramedic, paramedic instructor and flight medic with the Lee County EMS in Fort Myers, Fla., was able to perform life-saving CPR almost immediately after Talley fell to the ground.

Ausman later said, “They teach you that if a person is not conscious and not breathing normally to go ahead and start CPR.” Ausman also refused to let anyone else take over for him.

“I have seen lots of people do CPR,” Ausman went on to say. “I have also seen lots do poor CPR, and if there’s a chance for the victim to make it, you’ve got to keep up good perfusion.”

When the paramedics arrived, Ausman briefed them with what had happened and told them that he believed Talley was in cardiac arrest. Though the paramedics initially didn’t believe him, a cardiac monitor revealed that Talley suffered from ventricular fibrillation, which is a fatal form of cardiac arrest.

In fact, in most cases, a heart attack like that has a 2% survival rate. Due to the speed and effectiveness of Ausman’s CPR assistance, Talley was helped right away. And because the paramedics were 10 minutes away from the speedway, every moment was imperative for Talley’s survival.

After he recovered from the heart attack, Talley began trying to track down his speedway hero. After calling the Autobahn Indoor Speedway directly, he was finally able to track down his savior.

In a voicemail message to Ausman, Talley said, “The circumstances that allowed our paths to cross and your actions are as big as life itself. Just to say ‘thank you’ seems insignificant for what you did for me. Thank you for life itself!”

Without a doubt, it was the skill and fast thinking of Ausman who saved Talley’s life. Being prepared with life-saving skills like CPR can save the life of a loved one, or someone else’s loved one. Be prepared: learn CPR!

1. The Famous Baby on the Highway CPR

When Pamela Rauseo’s infant nephew stopped breathing in the car, she knew she had to do something. Even though her most recent CPR certification happened seven years ago, she saved his life by performing CPR on the side of the road.

2. Boy Saves His Bother’s Life Hours After Passing a First Aid Class

When James Reed finished his first aid training earlier in the day, he didn’t think he’d have to apply his knowledge so soon. But just a few hours after completing the course, he saved his choking brother using the skills he learned.

3. Woman Saved Fellow Diner in Portland

When a diner at a table next to her went into cardiac arrest, Lauren Hammond stepped in without hesitation. Having gone through an ordeal a few years prior wherein her young son suffered a seizure and a stranger ran to her aid, she knew this would be a good way to pay it forward.

4. A Student Learns Life-Saving Skills Over the Phone to Save His Dying Father

Although David Hornstein didn’t know CPR when he found his dad having a cardiac arrest, he learned it quick enough to administer life-saving CPR to his dying father. A family friend and doctor was able to coach the 21 year old student while help arrived. Given that he was able to learn CPR so fast, we think he’ll do just fine with the rest of his studies!

5. Near Fatal Tug of War

Teachers were engaged in a tug of war at a school event dubbed “Crazy Sports Night” when fourth-grade teacher Lonnie Hughes collapsed. Lucky for the teacher, three fast-acting EMTs sprung into action to save him. Thanks to the incident, the local fire district will give CPR training courses to further equip citizens with CPR skills.

6. There Was a 95% Chance Her Husband Would Have Died Without CPR

When Elizabeth Schimpf’s husband slumped over the wheel of his car before he was to drive her to work, she thought he was joking. But the sudden cardiac arrest he was going into was no joke. In fact, most sudden cardiac arrest victims don’t make even make it to the hospital before expiring. Luckily, Schimpf had undergone CPR training numerous times in her career and she was able to save her husband of 18 years.

7. Father Pulls Son Out of the Pool and Performs Life-Saving CPR

A toddler was out of his parent’s sight for just a minute, but was found in the family pool with a faint pulse. Having recently renewed his CPR certification, the child’s father was able to respond quickly to save his toddler from permanent brain damage.

8. An 18 Year Old Saves Her Grandfather Who Suffered a Heart Attack the Day After His Birthday

Alex Davenport had just learned CPR thanks to a program at her high school when she had to use it for her grandfather who had just suffered a heart attack. She learned the “hands only” method of CPR, which uses minimal mouth-to-mouth, and focuses on strong and fast chest compressions to the beat of “Staying Alive.” And thanks to his granddaughter’s CPR training, he did just that!

9. Oregon Governor Performs Life-Saving CPR on Drug Overdose Victim

Before he was the Governor of Oregon, Gov. John Kitzhaber was an ER doctor. His skills certainly came in handy when he jumped out of his car (bringing medical equipment with him) to save the life of a woman who was suffering from a heroin drug overdose. We’re sure his campaign is now off to a great start! 😉

10. Man Suffers Heart Attack While Driving and Tradesman Steps In

Jason Mackintosh was driving to work when he saw an animal control vehicle stopped in the middle of the road. Jason through that maybe he was blocking the road for an animal, but when he got closer to the vehicle and tapped on the window, it became clear the man needed help. So, he pulled the man out of the vehicle and performed life-saving CPR!