Statistics say that a person has approximately three opportunities in their lifetime to perform CPR. One of those opportunities will most likely be on a loved one.

Such was the case for LSHS student, Jake Gath, who is credited with saving his grandmother’s life by performing CPR when he witnessed her go into cardiac arrest. Gath continued CPR until firefighters arrived on scene.

On Tuesday, May 31, Lake Stevens Fire presented Gath with a “Lake Stevens Fire Award” at the LSHS academic awards ceremony. Gath was not informed he would be receiving the award and was surprised to be called forward.

Paramedic/Firefighter Keith Terry gave a brief speech and presented Gath the award amongst parents and peers.
Also in the audience was another individual, beaming with pride: Gath’s grandmother, Michelle Bloye. Keith Terry stated in his speech, “I personally spoke with the firefighters who helped Jake’s grandma that day and they all agreed she would not be with us today if not for Jake’s perfectly performed CPR.”

Jake Gath, a senior at LSHS, credits Lake Stevens Fire with teaching him CPR. Each year LSF teaches eighth graders CPR as part of their health curriculum. In addition to the training he learned in middle school, Gath also shadowed LSF firefighters and learned more about emergency response on his own time.

When Keith Terry called Gath forward to accept his award, a number of his peers and parents in the audience provided Gath a standing ovation.

Lake Stevens Fire applauds Gath’s initiative to learn and retain life-saving CPR skills.

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