Bystanders provide lifesaving CPR

On Jan. 17, the fire department and city council presented Lifesaving Awards to Travis Lawrence and Jason Johnson in appreciation of their Good Samaritan assistance in saving Salvador Gutierrez’s life. Last September, Gutierrez was at a local soccer field with his family when he became faint and fell to the ground. He was experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest.

Family members rushed to a nearby house and asked if the resident knew CPR. Fortunately, the home owner, Travis Lawrence, had taken a Heartsaver CPR/AED class from the South Jordan Fire Department and was willing to help. He ran to the scene, assessed the situation, made sure paramedics had been called and then started CPR.

Jason Johnson, an off-duty law enforcement officer with the Unified Police Department, happened to be walking by and saw the commotion. He rushed over and offered assistance. Johnson and Lawrence continued to provide CPR until paramedics arrived.

Gutierrez was taken to a local hospital for treatment and was released 10 days later.