Tim Schuetz (Fairview Heights, IL) received the Red Cross Lifesaver Award for using CPR to save his son’s life when he collapsed from a chemical odor while repairing a pipe. Through the Red Cross Lifesaver Awards, sponsored by AAA, the Red Cross has celebrated more than 400 local citizens who were able to save a life through training in CPR and First Aid. Pictured from left to right: Jon Jonas, Jeff Bevirt, Mary Jo Blackwood (Board Member, American Red Cross), Tim Schuetz, and Cindy Erickson (CEO, American Red Cross).

Tim Schuetz and his son Zach are your typical, All-American father-son duo. While Zach was growing up, Tim taught his son to play sports, how to be a Boy Scout, and how to fix things around the house. But it was during one of those home projects that both Tim and Zach were forever changed.

As Tim describes it—the problem started with the bathtub drain clogging. Several inside attempts to fix the clog had failed, so he and Zach went looking for the problem pipe in the crawl space under their home.

When they pulled the pipe apart, Zach indicated there was a really foul smell—like rotten eggs. So Tim got some baking soda to help neutralize the odor.

Then Zach had to wriggle through the mud to reach the pipe and pour on the baking soda. Within seconds, a chemical reaction occurred, causing Zach to pass out. Tim didn’t notice at first, until he started calling Zach’s name and got no answer. The he saw his son passed out underneath the house.

It was a tight space, but Tim tried to get next to Zach to pull him out. The chemicals even got to Tim—and he passed out for a short time! When Tim came to, he wriggled free and managed to get a couple of deep breaths.

Tim began to pull at his son’s clothing to free him from the crawl space. Once his head and shoulders were free, Tim knew he needed to start CPR. He gave Zach two rescue breaths, then 30 chest compressions and two more rescue breaths. By this point, Zach started to breath on his own, very faintly.

Tim still needed to free all of Zach’s body from the crawl space, so he decided to use his belt! Tim wrapped the belt around Zach and lifted him away from the muddy ditch to where the air was fresher. Tim ran inside, and called 911. Then he returned outside and continued giving CPR.

Zach made it to the hospital—and made an excellent recovery. It is incredible to think of how calm and logical Tim was in this very chaotic situation. Tim knew he was alone, and his son’s life was at stake. So he went back to the basics of First Aid and CPR that he learned from a Red Cross Instructor.

Tim says he is appreciative of the Red Cross Lifesaver Award, but his real joy is continuing to watch his son to grow up.

To take a CPR or First Aid class, click here.