American Red Cross honoring Cape Girardeau man with highest award

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO- (KBSI) – On December 8, 2022, Dustin Farrar, called on his American Red Cross training First Aid/CPR/AED to save the life of his coworker Dennis Friedrich when he found him lying unconscious and unresponsive while at work at Southeast Machine Co.

After notifying office personnel to call 9-1-1, Farrar immediately began chest compressions which he continued until paramedics arrived.

For his heroic and lifesaving action, Farrar, will receive the Red Cross Certificate of Merit on Friday, December 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cape Girardeau Fire Department, Station 1, 1 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.

The Certificate of Merit is the highest award given by the Red Cross to individuals who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.

“We’re extremely proud to present a Certificate of Merit to Mr. Farrar,” said Micheal Sullivan, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Northeast Arkansas Red Cross Chapter. “His actions exemplify our mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.”

According to those who witnessed the event, Farrar did not hesitate when he found his coworker unresponsive and not breathing.

Relying on his training, he directed office personnel to call 9-1-1 and immediately began chest compressions and administered rescue breaths.

Finally, Dennis took a breath, and a pulse was found, but was soon “lost” again. This continued off and on during the unceasing rescue methods performed by Farrar who was also shouting encouragement to Dennis the whole time.

Farrar continued the CPR until the paramedics took over. Both the paramedics and the cardiologist, later at the hospital, agreed Farrar’s quick actions saved Dennis’ life.

About the event, Farrar said it’s not like you see on tv.

Situations like this can be scary but knowing what to do will help prepare you.

He encourages everyone to take the training, get CPR certified, so they too can be ready to act.

Farrar and Dennis first met in 2003 while Farrar was working at part-time at Southeast Machine Co.

A shared interest in music led to them becoming friends.

A friendship which has only grown since Farrar’s full-time appointment with the company in 2016.

“We never know when someone is going to go into cardiac arrest.” Says, Chris Miller who is a driver operator and EMT with the Cape Girardeau Fire Department, he teaches CPR certification classes.

He says, “Even hands only C-P-R can really make a difference.”

CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating.

Immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest.

Miller says, “That’s really important that as bystanders we look to the opportunity to provide hands only CPR.”

Red Cross training gives people the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency and save a life. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session) and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.

If you or someone you know has used skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain the life of another individual, visit [LifesavingAwards.org]LifesavingAwards.org to nominate, recognize, or be inspired.