Crime & Safety
70-Year-Old Saved By New Police Officer Who Performed CPR
A newly-graduated Gwinnett police officer jumped into action Saturday to save an unconcious man's life by performing CPR on him.
DULUTH, GA — A 70-year old man is alive today thanks to the CPR that was performed on him by a GCPD officer and the patrons at a local bar.
On Saturday, Dec. 1, Officer Michael Bissanti responded to a cardiac arrest call at the Sports Time Bar and Grill located at 3675 Satellite Blvd in unincorporated Duluth at around 8 p.m. The caller said that a 70-year old man was not conscious and was not breathing.
After being dispatched to the call, Bissanti arrived in under a minute. He immediately grabbed his AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and went inside the crowded business. Patrons of the restaurant were attempting to do CPR on the patient.
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Officer Bissanti assessed the situation and prepared the AED. He placed the pads of the AED on the male and followed the directions from the automated voice. The patient had no pulse and was not breathing. The AED analyzed the patient and determined that a shock was needed. Once the shock was given to the man, who was not moving prior, he opened his mouth and started to gasp for air. Officer Bissanti, along with the patrons, continued to do CPR, and the patient’s status continued to improve. The patient eventually started to breath on his own.
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After about 5 minutes of CPR and the use of the AED, medical personnel from the Gwinnett County Fire Department arrived on scene and took over. The patient was later transported to a local hospital for treatment and care.
Sgt. Justin Richey, Bissanti’s superviso, said, “Officer Bissanti was able to jump into a chaotic and stressful situation which saved a person’s life. Without the response of Officer Bissanti, I believe the patient would not be alive today.”
Officer Michael Bissanti was hired on June 19, 2017 and graduated from the 99th Police Academy on January 4, 2018.
Photos courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department
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