Five-year-old Case Judkins knew he might have to save his mother’s life one day. 

Andrea Judkins of McKinney has cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease that makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood to the body’s other organs.

Andrea knew her condition could be a medical emergency one day, and she trained Case on what to do. 

“She fainted, and I’m calling her two times, yelling for her two times,” said Case. “Mom told me whatever happens to my dad or my mom, when no one sees them, I had to tell somebody.”

Andrea passed out while playing with Legos with Case. He sprung into action, calling for his father. 

“Case screamed at me, and I immediately hit the ground running and ran downstairs,” said Casey, who rushed to his wife’s side to perform CPR. “She took a breath, and that’s all I needed,” Casey said.

Andrea’s doctor said if it had not been for Case’s quick thinking and training, Andrea’s life would have been in danger. 

The hospital where Andrea recovered held a ceremony that honored the EMS medics who helped Andrea. They also celebrated Case. 

When asked why he was chosen for the honor, Case replied, “I saved the day.” 

“Definitely talk to your kids about what to do in a situation like this and trust them that they can do it,” advised Andrea.

There are seven steps to performing CPR. 

1. Check the scene and the person to ensure the setting is safe. Tap the person on the shoulder and shout, “Are you OK?” to make sure the person needs help.
2. Call 911 for assistance. If it’s clear help is needed, call 911 or ask a bystander to call. Send someone to get an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available. If there is no AED or no bystander to access it, stay with the victim, call 911, and prepare to assist. 
3. Open the airway with the person lying on their back. Tilt the head back slightly to lift the chin.
4. Check for breathing and listen carefully for sounds of breathing for no more than 10 seconds (occasional gasping sounds are not the same as breathing). If there is no breathing, begin CPR.
5. Begin chest compressions by positioning your hands, one on top of the other, in the middle of the chest, then push hard and push fast. Use your body weight to help administer compressions at least 2 inches deep and delivered at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute.
6. Deliver rescue breaths* — With the person’s head tilted back slightly and the chin lifted, pinch the nose shut and place your mouth over the person’s mouth to make a complete seal.

Blow into the person’s mouth to make the chest rise and deliver two rescue breaths, then continue compressions. 

*Note: If the chest does not rise with the initial rescue breath, re-tilt the head before delivering the second breath. If the chest doesn’t rise with the second breath, the person may be choking. After each subsequent set of 30 chest compressions, and before attempting breaths, look for an object and, if seen, remove it.

*Note: The American Red Cross recommends using rescue breaths, calling 911, and delivering chest compressions only.

     7. Continue CPR steps of chest compressions and breathing until breathing is regained or the AED or emergency medical services arrive. 

**Note: End the cycles if the scene becomes unsafe or you are unable to continue performing CPR due to exhaustion.