Life-saving award presented to two men
Wed, 05/05/2021 - 3:59pm
admin
By:
Marcie Klomp ~ News Editor tpdeditor@crescotimes.com
CRESCO - The story of Kevin Roesler going back to work after a cardiac arrest does not end there.
Remember those two guys who performed CPR to bring him back to life? They were recently given life-saving awards.
At the awards ceremony on April 20, 2021, Brent Holten of H&S Motors gave a short run-down of events that led to Roesler surviving.
Brian Sobolik was the one who started CPR. He was nominated for the American Heart Association Heart Saver Hero Award by Elma Fire Chief Scott O’Brien. Sobolik has been a member of the Elma FD since January 2016.
O’Brien told those gathered at the ceremony on April 20, “We are here today to recognize two outstanding members of our community — two individuals who happened to be in the right place at the right time. The training they had received gave them the knowledge to perform lifesaving resuscitation on that November day.”
Sobolik and his wife, Lyndsey, and their two daughters, Henslie and Hadlee, live in Elma. He has been employed in the automotive repair industry for the past decade.
“On behalf of Elma Fire & Rescue, we nominated Brian. His quick action that day helped to save the life of his co-worker. If he had not begun CPR as quickly as he did, it could have caused irreversible brain damage or even death. He truly was one of the critical links in the chain of survival for Kevin,” continued O’Brien. He looked at Sobolik, “Brian, you saved a life. Thank you and congratulations.”
Howard County Sheriff Tim Beckman presented Deputy Shane Thorsten with his award. “Shane, your countless hours of training paid off.”
Thorsten joined the Sheriff’s Office in April 2013. For the first eight years, he was a patrol deputy and was recently promoted to narcotics investigator.
The deputy is also a member of the Northeast Iowa Drug Task Force and is the taser instructor. In addition, he is a member of the Iowa Law Enforcement Intelligence Network, is clandestine lab certified and is the evidence technician.
Thorsten told those attending, “If you haven’t been to CPR training, you should do it.”
Roesler, who was surprised by family members who attended the ceremony, told his two heroes, “Thank you two gentlemen. You’re the reason I’m here.”
You too could be the reason someone is still able to enjoy his family, friends and life. Statistics show that 45% of those who have someone start CPR right away can survive.
