• Stranger Saves teenager’s life with CPR, using a technique popularized by The Office.
• A stranger, Johnette Wilmot, performed CPR for eight minutes until help arrived, becoming a hero in this story where Stranger Saves a life.
• The Tucker family encourages others to learn CPR, emphasizing its life-saving power that could lead to stories of Stranger Saves.

A 15-year-old from Alabama collapsed during a baseball tryout and nearly lost his life. A stranger, who had learned CPR years earlier, rushed to help. She used a technique made famous by The Office to save the boy’s life, creating yet another story of how Stranger Saves.

Evan Tucker Collapses During Baseball Tryout

On April 19, Evan Tucker was practicing for a travel baseball team when he suddenly collapsed. He fell to the ground in the outfield. His heart stopped beating, and he went into cardiac arrest. The situation was life-threatening. His mother, Samantha Tucker, was watching from the stands when she saw her son fall. At first, she thought he had been hit by a ball. But then, someone shouted, “He’s having a seizure.” Panic took over as Samantha rushed to her son’s side.

A Stranger’s Quick Action Saves Evan’s Life

Johnette Wilmot, a mother who was at the field with her son Phoenix, didn’t know Evan or his family. However, she quickly noticed what was happening and ran to help. She wasn’t a nurse or a doctor, but she knew CPR. Wilmot started performing chest compressions immediately. She kept going for about eight minutes until the ambulance arrived. She had learned CPR in high school but had never had to use it. Despite the panic of the moment, she stayed focused on keeping Evan alive.

CPR with “Stayin’ Alive” Beats

Johnette Wilmot kept humming “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees as she did CPR. The song’s rhythm matches the pace needed for chest compressions. CPR trainers often recommend this song because it has 103 beats per minute, the ideal speed for compressions. The song became widely known for CPR training after a famous scene from The Office. In that episode, Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell, learns CPR using the same song. This connection helped make the method more popular.

Hope and Prayer on the Ambulance Ride

As Evan was rushed to the hospital, his mother, Samantha, stayed calm. She prayed for her son’s recovery. “I kept saying ‘Jesus, I trust in you,’” she said. She felt peace, even in the midst of the chaos. Despite the terrifying situation, she somehow knew her son was going to be okay. Her faith helped her stay strong throughout the entire ordeal.

Evan’s Recovery and Continued Care

When Evan arrived at the hospital in Birmingham, doctors worked quickly to save him. They used defibrillators to restart his heart. Evan was placed in a medically-induced coma to help him recover. He remained in the coma for several days. When he finally woke up, he was able to speak and walk on his own. Evan is still recovering in the hospital, but his family remains hopeful. His mother, Samantha, is grateful. “Miracles happen,” she said. Without the quick actions of Johnette Wilmot and the power of prayer, Evan might not be here today.

A Lifelong Friendship Between Two Mothers

After the incident, Samantha and Johnette became close friends. They now speak to each other every day. Wilmot visited Evan in the hospital and was overcome with emotion when she saw him. She hugged him and posed for a photo with him, happy to see that he had survived. Their bond grew stronger as they shared this life-changing experience. They both know how important it is to act quickly in emergency situations and are now connected by the shared experience of saving a life.

The Tucker Family’s Struggles and Community Support

Evan’s family has faced other medical challenges in the past. His father, Eddie, had a stroke eight years ago, which left him permanently disabled. With Evan’s emergency hospital bills adding up, a friend of the Tucker family created a GoFundMe page. The goal is to raise \$10,000 to help with the costs. So far, the campaign has raised \$2,465. In addition, the Tucker family is selling T-shirts to raise money for Evan’s ongoing care. The community has rallied around them, showing love and support during this difficult time.

The Importance of Learning CPR

Evan’s mother, Samantha, and Wilmot both want to encourage others to learn CPR. CPR can save lives in emergencies. By learning CPR, people can help save lives just like Johnette did for Evan. The American Red Cross offers CPR training in all 50 states, making it easy for anyone to learn. In a life-threatening situation, knowing CPR is often the difference between life and death. Samantha and Wilmot hope this story inspires more people to get trained and be prepared to help in emergencies, knowing that Stranger Saves can happen anywhere.