State Rep Christine Hunschofsky, Deputy Mariano Gersberg,
Captain Michele McCardle, Deputy Hope Levin, Parkland City Commissioner Bob Mayersohn. {BSO}
Two school resource deputies are being hailed for saving the life of a Park Trails Elementary student who went into cardiac arrest and nearly died.
Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputies Hope Levin and Mariano Gersberg were named the Kiwanis Club of Coral Springs’ Deputies of the Year last week for their quick action on February 16 when a little girl stopped breathing on the school’s playground.
Levin and Gersberg were conducting their usual duties as Park Trails students took to the school’s outdoor fields for a physical education activity.
The girl was socializing with friends when she suddenly collapsed on the playground, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
The child stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest, deputies said.
A fast-thinking teacher used the school radio to call Gersberg and Levin for help. Gersberg called for paramedics while Levin initiated CPR and chest compressions on the girl, deputies said.
For the next six minutes, the duo took turns administering CPR and chest compressions until paramedics arrived and rushed the child to Coral Springs Medical Center for stabilization.
She was airlifted to Miami Children`s Hospital a short time later due to the seriousness of her condition, deputies said.
The student has since recovered and is doing well. Her age was not made public.
“I am incredibly proud of School Resource Deputies Hope Levin and Mariano Gersberg, who acted swiftly and heroically to save a young child’s life,” BSO Parkland District Captain Michele McCardle said in a written statement. “Parkland deputies are committed to protecting and serving our community, and this incident highlights the compassion and unwavering commitment of our team.”
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