First Published: February 23, 2023
A Florida couple’s harrowing experience demonstrates why In-Pulse CPR onsite training could be the difference between life and death.
Mike Button (left) with his grandson, Jensen. (Photo courtesy of Mike Button).
Mike Button never expected that an ordinary July afternoon would become a fight for his life. Working from his home office in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the recent months had been challenging—his mother’s passing, a congestive heart failure diagnosis, COVID-19 recovery, and the loss of a beloved pet. As he settled in to catch up on work, everything seemed normal except for feeling slightly tired.
His wife Stephanie was also recovering from COVID-19 at home, having delayed her return to the office out of consideration for a coworker with a newborn. That decision would prove to be life-saving.
The Critical Moment
When Stephanie walked into Mike’s office that afternoon to ask a question, she witnessed something no spouse should ever see. Mike looked up, said “I feel dizzy,” described seeing a blue static line like an old television shutting off, and then slumped over in his chair—unconscious and not breathing. He was in cardiac arrest.
“Mike! Mike!” Stephanie yelled, but there was no response. In that terrifying moment, years of CPR training became the thin line between life and death.
Training Under Pressure: When It Matters Most
Despite having been trained in CPR several times throughout her life, Stephanie’s initial response to the 911 dispatcher’s question—”Do you know CPR?”—was a panicked “No.” The stress and shock of seeing her husband collapse had temporarily erased her memory of the life-saving techniques she’d learned.
This is exactly why regular, comprehensive CPR training is so critical. Under extreme stress, the mind can go blank, but proper onsite training helps create muscle memory and confidence that can overcome panic. With guidance from the dispatcher, Stephanie’s training returned to her, and she was able to perform the chest compressions that kept Mike alive until paramedics arrived.
The Power of Immediate Action
Stephanie first had to get Mike from his office chair to the floor—pulling the chair sideways until he tumbled down. Then she began chest compressions, following the dispatcher’s instructions over speakerphone. Those critical compressions continued for just under five minutes until emergency responders arrived.
Mike Button (center) attends an appreciation ceremony where his wife, Stephanie Button (right), receives the “Citizen Life Saving Award.” The award was presented in recognition of Stephanie’s life-saving actions. The City of Palm Beach Gardens provided the photograph.
The EMTs immediately connected Mike to an automated external defibrillator (AED). After two shocks and mechanical CPR, the third shock from the AED restored a sustainable heart rhythm. Mike spent two days in a medically induced coma, allowing his brain and body to heal from the trauma.
When he awoke on the third day, his first coherent questions—”What happened to me? Why am I here?”—were music to Stephanie’s ears. No brain damage had occurred, thanks to the immediate CPR that maintained blood flow to his brain during those crucial minutes.
Why In-Pulse CPR Onsite Training Makes the Difference
This story powerfully illustrates why In-Pulse CPR onsite training is not just recommended—it’s essential. Here’s what makes professional, hands-on training so valuable:
Real-World Application: Unlike online courses or basic certifications, comprehensive onsite training prepares you for the chaos and panic of actual emergencies. Instructors can simulate the stress and confusion that occurs during real cardiac arrest situations.
Muscle Memory Development: Repeated practice in realistic scenarios helps create the muscle memory that can overcome panic, just as Stephanie’s training eventually kicked in despite her initial shock.
Team Coordination: In-Pulse CPR onsite training can prepare entire workplaces or families to work together during emergencies, ensuring someone is always ready to call 911 while others perform CPR.
Equipment Familiarity: Professional training includes hands-on experience with AEDs and other emergency equipment, building confidence in using these life-saving devices.
Regular Refreshers: Quality training programs emphasize the importance of regular recertification, keeping skills sharp and up-to-date with the latest guidelines.
The Ripple Effect of Preparedness
Mike underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy, receiving a pacemaker to prevent future cardiac episodes. Two weeks later, he was back at work, and within a month, he had fully recovered from his ordeal.
“The pain is simply a reminder that you’re not dead yet,” Mike reflected. “It was well worth it.”
The experience left both Mike and Stephanie with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and a mission to spread awareness about CPR training. Stephanie calls the day “definitely the worst day of my life and best day of my life,” adding, “It was a miracle that I was standing in front of him when it happened.”
In October, the couple attended an awards ceremony where Stephanie received a “Citizen Life Saving Award” from the city of Palm Beach Gardens. They were able to thank the paramedics, firefighters, nurses, and doctors who played roles in Mike’s survival.
Your Call to Action
Mike and Stephanie now advocate for CPR training wherever they go, organizing refresher courses through their church and community groups. As Mike puts it: “I tell everybody that CPR is the most important thing you can know.”
But knowing CPR isn’t enough—you need quality training that prepares you for the real thing. In-Pulse CPR onsite training provides:
- Hands-on practice with realistic scenarios
- Expert instruction from certified professionals
- Training that comes to your workplace or organization
- Skills that translate directly to emergency situations
- Confidence that could save a life—possibly someone you love
Don’t Wait for an Emergency
Cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time—often without warning. Mike’s doctors never determined exactly why his heart stopped, though it may have been related to his congestive heart failure diagnosis. What they do know is that immediate CPR was the key to his survival.
The statistics are sobering: Only about 10% of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive. However, immediate CPR can double or triple survival rates. When performed correctly and promptly, CPR maintains blood flow to vital organs until professional help arrives.
Stephanie’s story proves that with proper training, ordinary people can perform extraordinary acts of heroism. Her quick thinking and CPR skills didn’t just save Mike’s life—they ensured he would be there to watch their grandson grow up, to continue his work, and to share their story with others.
Invest in Life-Saving Skills Today
Don’t assume that a basic online course or a certification from years ago will be enough when seconds count. In-Pulse CPR onsite training ensures that you, your family, or your workplace will be prepared when it matters most.
Every day you delay training is another day you might not be ready to save a life. Contact In-Pulse CPR today to schedule comprehensive, professional CPR training that could make the difference between a tragedy and a miracle.
Because as Mike and Stephanie learned, when someone you love collapses, there’s no time to learn CPR—you need to already know it.
For more information about In-Pulse CPR onsite training programs, contact us today. Don’t wait until it’s too late—the life you save could be someone you love.
Author: Donna Ryan lives and works in Tucson, AZ.
