Blake Hirstius did not know if the man he helped on the parade route had made it; nor did his two fellow Good Samaritans who did all they could to save a life.
Not only did they learn that Ronnie Lightell indeed made it – they all got to experience a very special moment together.
Hirstius, of Hahnville, Justin Bernier and Cher Babin sprung into action on the night of the Krewe of Cleopatra parade in New Orleans when Lightell, 68, went into cardiac arrest. Lightell was watching the parade downtown – his wife was riding as a member of the krewe.
Before EMS arrived, Hirstius, Bernier and Babin, along with a friend of Lightell’s, performed CPR. When Lightell was transported away for hospital care, the group did not know that he would make it – and in fact it seemed like a longshot.
But they became aware that Lightell indeed did pull through after a news story broadcast on WWL confirmed that. The Samaritans reached out to WWL’s Meg Farris to ask if it would be possible to meet the man – she coordinated a surprise meeting between them and Lightell, who had likewise expressed that he hoped to one day meet the people who saved him.
“It was really rewarding because we didn’t know, and with everything happening like it did, he didn’t necessarily think we’d ever find out either,” said Hirstius. “So, how that all came together was pretty exciting, and obviously it was really great to see he’s OK. He thanked us and it was very emotional.
“It was a really great moment, all of us getting together.”
Lightell told them that his doctor said had the group not acted quickly to perform CPR, he probably would not still be here today.
“We were probably doing CPR for between 10 and 15 minutes before EMS got him onto a gurney and got him out of there … it’s a little scary,” Hirstius said. “You’re really just trying to stay focused on what’s going on because so much is happening at the same time. It was really a team effort by everyone out there.”
Hirstius served in the U.S. Coast Guard. Bernier is hospital nurse and Babin is a surgical tech.
“A lot of it is reverting back to your training. You get in there and kind of keep your eye on everything else and see if there’s anything else you need to do or help with … the other people I was out there with, they’re nurses, healthcare professionals, so they’re the ones who really know what they’re doing in that situation.”
Lightell served in the Marine Corps for many years before retiring. He’s going through cardiac rehab and he and his wife have another grandchild on the way.
