Poughkeepsie firefighter saves life at Walt Disney World

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Lt. Paul Bucher and his wife Kara helping Santa in 2019. The PFD delivers toys for needy kids in Poughkeepsie.

ORLANDO – Poughkeepsie Fire Department Lieutenant Paul Bucher is being credited with saving a life while on a family vacation at Walt Disney World in Orlando.  The lifesaving actions took place Monday night at a restaurant at the resort.

Bucher witnessed a man go into cardiac arrest and rushed to his aid.  His initial assessment indicated that the man was not breathing and had no pulse.  The lieutenant performed a precordial thump and began chest compressions while waiting for someone to bring him an automated external defibrillator (AED). By the time the AED arrived the patient had regained his pulse and was breathing on his own with his eyes open, due to Bucher’s work.

When personnel from the Reedy Creek Fire Rescue arrived and prepped the man for transport to the hospital, the patient was conscious and speaking with the medics.

Bucher, a career firefighter, told Mid-Hudson News that his training helped.  “I was surprised at first – it unfolded very quickly,” he said. “I’m glad things seemed to have worked out.”




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