Jonathon Robinson
By Erin Smith
A West Bladen High School student is being hailed as a hero this week after he used his CPR skills he learned at the school in an attempt to save a life recently. Jonathon Robinson, a senior at the school, stopped on South Carolina Highway 905 on Saturday and administered CPR to a man until first responders arrived.
Robinson recounted that he and his mother, Stephanie Freeman, were going to the restaurant Dave and Busters in Myrtle Beach, SC on Saturday afternoon when she missed her exit.
“We see two cars on the side of the road as we go by and we both looked back in the mirror,”said Robinson.
What they saw in the mirror made Freeman stop the car and back up. Robinson said they were both able to see a gentleman laying on the ground and two women standing over him. He said one of the women was yelling at the man.
Robinson said when his mother stopped the car, before she could back up, he got out and went to see if he could help.
“I told them I was CPR certified,” said Robinson.
He said he began to perform CPR on the man and spoke with the 911 operator as he performed the compressions. He performed CPR for several minutes when a law enforcement officer arrived and took over. Robinson said the officer told him, “Thanks.”
Robinson said he had received his certification two weeks prior to the incident. He said when he became certified, he knew it would be a useful skill, but he had no idea he would use it that quickly.
Robinson said before they left the beach for the day, they went by Grand Strand Medical Center to check on the status of the gentleman. He said they were initially told he had been discharged.
Robinson said they had given the family their telephone number and, later, on the way home, they received a phone call from the gentleman’s family. It was during that call Robinson learned the gentleman he tried so heroically to save had unfortunately passed away.
“It’s tragic,” said Robinson. “I wish I could have met him before he left.”
He said he recommends that anyone take CPR. Robinson said it is an important skill to have.
West Bladen Principal Peggy Hester said, “We are really proud of him.”
She said CPR is a requirement of all of their students before they can graduate. Hester said this incident is a good example of the fact the school not only teaches academic skills but life skills.
Robinson said when he graduates from West Bladen High School, he wants to attend UNC-Pembroke and play football. He also plans to major in Physical Education and wants to be a coach.
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