For Israel Rodriguez, Friday nights are typically reserved for unwinding with his family over a good meal. But one cold January evening turned into something unforgettable when his quick thinking saved a stranger’s life.
Israel and his family had just sat down to enjoy dinner at one of their favorite Italian restaurants. As they started on appetizers, Israel noticed a woman at a nearby table growing increasingly distressed. Her husband appeared to be choking, and she was visibly panicking—patting his back, trying to cry out for help, but unable to find the words. Their two young daughters sat frozen in shock.
“I pictured my own family in that moment,” Israel recalls. Without hesitation, he stood up and moved toward the man.
Just as he approached, the man collapsed, his head striking the table. Israel jumped into action, performing abdominal thrusts. On the fourth attempt, a small piece of ice dislodged from the man’s airway. Moments later, he regained consciousness, looked up, and asked, “What’s going on?”
In a packed restaurant full of Friday night diners, Israel was the only one who intervened. No bystanders, staff, or even the manager called 911. Thankfully, Israel had just completed a CPR and First Aid refresher course through his church’s children’s ministry, where he and his wife have long volunteered.
After the incident, Israel checked on the man’s family to ensure they were okay. They stayed to finish their meal—while quietly covering the cost of Israel’s dinner in gratitude.
Reflecting on the experience, Israel says what stood out most was how many people failed to act. “These days, people might think to record an emergency on their phones instead of helping,” he said. “But a social media post isn’t going to save someone’s life.”
He also acknowledged that even trained bystanders often hesitate out of fear—of making things worse, of liability, or simply of stepping in. But to him, the choice is clear: “You either do something and give that person a chance, or you do nothing and let them die.”
Months later, Israel and Lee—the man he saved—still keep in touch. Lee reached out on Father’s Day, a reminder of how close his children came to losing him. “It could have gone an entirely different way that night,” Israel said.
By Gina Mayfield | Adapted with credit to the American Heart Association
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