GREAT FALLS – Two Eagle Scouts recently put their skills to the test and helped save someone’s life.
The 16-year-old boys, David King and Sam Collins, were driving along River Road Sunday evening when they noticed a man slumped over on his car.
They immediately turned around and dialed 911, and as they got closer to the man, they realized he was non-responsive.
“I was on the phone with a 911 operator, checking for breathing,” David said. “There wasn’t any until deep gasping started, and it wasn’t regular, so we had to get him on his side.”
The boys experienced a roller coaster of emotions while this was all happening.
Sam said, “Just butterflies, like you’re kind of nervous, whether it’s going to turn out OK or not.”
“I was freaking out a bit, but I didn’t let that show. I was assertive,” David added.
They were relieved when police showed up ready to assist and take over.
“Had they shown up any later we would have had to start CPR,” David said. “Although I’m certified, I definitely don’t want to have to perform CPR.”
Both boys had to complete first-aid training classes to become an Eagle Scout.
Sam added, “Just all the experiences we’ve had in Scouts helped us prepare mentally for how to act in a situation like that rather than freaking out. We took action.”
Great Falls Police Department Captain John Schaffer said the department is just “tickled pink” with these two young men.
He said, “Basically they saved his life. It would have been very, very easy for somebody to just keep right on going.”
David commented that anybody can help to do good, “I mean we’re just two 16-year-olds. We’re still in high school, just got through sophomore year, and we helped save somebody’s life.”
Black Eagle Fire Department has asked the two Eagle scouts to be the grand marshals in this year’s Fourth of July parade.
