Pickleball Staff Honored for Lifesaving Actions: In March, a routine pickleball game at the Irwin R. Holmes Senior Recreation Center in Durham, NC, nearly turned tragic when Steve Martin, an avid pickleball player and yoga enthusiast, suffered a sudden heart attack. What started as an ordinary day of recreation quickly turned into a life-or-death emergency.
Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) staff members immediately took action, administering CPR and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a race against time. Martin was unresponsive for an agonizing eight to ten minutes, according to WRAL, while staff fought to revive him before emergency responders arrived.
A Remarkable Recovery
Despite being unconscious for several minutes, Martin’s story had a fortunate ending. By the time the ambulance reached the hospital, Martin had regained consciousness. He was discharged a week later, and fully recovered. Reflecting on the life-saving efforts, Martin shared, “It was a normal day, and they ended up saving a life,” during an interview with WRAL.
Honoring the Heroes
Last Friday, the seven DPR employees who played a critical role in saving Martin’s life were publicly honored. Destiny Garrett, DeAnne Brown, Ashley Harris, Kira Hoover, Morris Johnson, and Takeschia Bullock received prestigious awards, including the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award and the Extraordinary Personal Action Award, recognizing their swift actions.
Makali Mosley was also commended for his efforts in managing the crowd during tense moments, ensuring that emergency procedures were carried out smoothly.
A Lesson in Preparedness
In a statement, DPR Director Wade Walcutt praised the team for their quick thinking and training.
“These amazing people used their training and quick thinking to save a life. While we hope to never have to use those skills, it is vital our team members are trained in CPR and how to operate life-saving equipment. These seven teammates exemplify what public service means and the countless ways we can impact lives and our community.” – (Wade Walcutt)
News in Brief: Pickleball Staff Honored for Lifesaving Actions
In March, Durham Parks and Recreation employees saved Steve Martin’s life after he suffered a heart attack while playing pickleball at the Irwin R. Holmes Senior Recreation Center. Staff members performed CPR and used an AED until first responders arrived.
After being unconscious for nearly ten minutes, Martin regained consciousness and made a full recovery. Last Friday, seven employees were honored with the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award for their heroic actions.
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