DECATUR — It had been a while since Sen. Arthur Orr had practiced CPR.
And it was likely he never thought he would have to put that practice to work – especially on a fellow lawmaker thousands of miles from home.
Today, Orr (R-Decatur), was honored by the Alabama Fire College during a special ceremony for his heroic response that saved the life Sen. Tim Melson.
The emergency arose last July when a group of Alabamians were on an education and economic development trip to Korea and Vietnam. During a tour of the DMZ between North and South Korea, Melson (R-Florence) suffered a cardiac event.
Members of the group became aware of the crisis when Melson began to turn purple. Orr immediately took control and instructed others to help get Melson to the ground. He then began CPR along with another member who performed chest compressions.
Orr continued CPR until an automated external defibrillator (AED) was obtained. Another member of the group who was a former paramedic helped activate the defibrillator. The men worked on Melson for 30-40 minutes until paramedics arrived.
Alabama Fire College Executive Director Matt Russell said the incident is a good example of how CPR and AED training helps save lives. The mission of the Alabama Fire College is to facilitate excellence in education, training, certification, and support services for the emergency response community.
“I’m sure Sen. Orr is like most people who have CPR training — he probably hoped he’d never have to use it,” Russell said. “But when an emergency happens, that important training kicks in. Knowing what to do and how to do it saves lives. Clearly in this case, Sen. Orr’s training made all the difference in the world.”
Russell said Orr’s recognition coincides with National CPR and AED Awareness Week, celebrated each year June 1-7. The week spotlights how lives can be saved if more Americans know CRP and how to use an AED.
Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, also was on the economic development trip and stressed the importance of having CPR and AED training.
“Sen. Orr knew instinctively what to do — he never hesitated,” Chesteen said. “If it had not been for Sen. Orr and the CPR he performed before we got the defibrillator, we’d be talking about a different outcome.”
During its recent session, the Alabama Legislature passed the “Sen. Tim Melson Act” that was sponsored by Orr and Melson. The bill expands CPR training in public schools to include hands-on training in the technique and use of automated external defibrillators.
The required training would begin in the 2024-2025 academic year.
The bill was endorsed by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama to help schools prepare for cardiac emergencies and was signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey.
Orr said he’d received CPR training a few times in his life but had never had to use it.
“Fortunately, I was able to use that to the best of my recollection and capabilities,” he told Alabama Daily News. “… The experience in South Korea impressed on me the importance of CPR training and defibrillator use.”
Orr was elected to the Alabama Senate in 2006. His district includes Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties.
Melson has been a member of the Alabama Senate since 2014. His district includes Lauderdale and Limestone counties.
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