An off-duty firefighter’s quick actions saved a man’s life during a high school graduation ceremony in Tennessee.

We can never predict when an emergency will arise, but it’s reassuring to know that God places the right people at the right place and time.

The incident took place at Cornersville High School’s graduation ceremony on May 16. The room was filled with proud families and friends celebrating the graduates when an elderly man in his 70s suddenly collapsed. The loud thud of his fall silenced the joyous atmosphere. The man was in full cardiac arrest, and the situation was dire.

In the crowd was Jayce Pickle, an off-duty firefighter and advanced emergency medical technician with the Franklin Fire Department. He was there to see his two nieces graduate. Without hesitation, Jayce leaped from his seat and ran towards the man in distress. “I heard him hit the ground before I actually saw it and I just jumped up and did what I thought I was supposed to do,” Jayce recalled. His quick response and calm demeanor were critical as he began performing CPR immediately.

Jayce’s training and experience kicked in as he checked for a pulse, found none, and started chest compressions. Within moments, an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was brought to the scene. Jayce used the AED to deliver a shock to the man’s heart, and soon after, he detected a faint pulse. The elderly man began to show signs of life, much to the relief of everyone present.

As Jayce and others worked to stabilize the man, the entire auditorium was silent, praying and hoping for a miracle. The man was then transported to a hospital by an ambulance that had arrived on the scene.

Jayce remained humble about his actions, stating, “I’ve been a part of a lot of hero-like things. Hero is a nice title, and, you know, I don’t think I deserve it.” Despite his modesty, those who witnessed the event and heard about it later would beg to differ. His quick thinking and decisive action undoubtedly saved a life that day.

The man Jayce saved had been enjoying a Dr Pepper at the graduation ceremony when he went into cardiac arrest. Jayce expressed his relief and joy at having been there to help. “I was glad I was there, glad I was able to help you, glad you and your wife can still go out and enjoy, and they said he was having a Dr Pepper that night when he fell out, so maybe we can get together and have a Dr Pepper sometime,” he said.

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