Federal Way woman honored for CPR heroics

From staff reports:

Federal Way resident Terri Yellam was honored on March 11 by the American Red Cross Serving King and Kitsap Counties at the 2010 Heroes Breakfast. Regence Blue Shield sponsors the Courage in Action award. In 2008, Terri Yellam took a Red Cross CPR course through her employer, Lakeside Milam Recovery Center in Burien. Her instructor remembers that Terri was very involved in that class, asking questions and staying focused. The training and Terri’s attention to detail became life-saving tools last spring. She was attending a wedding near Tacoma when a friend, Chris Osborne, collapsed at the next table. Terri’s Red Cross training kicked into gear, and she took charge of the situation. She checked his airway, which was clear, but he wasn’t breathing. Terri ordered someone to call 911. She was joined by another wedding guest, Susan Yager, who also knew CPR, and the two started chest compressions and rescue breaths.

The next seconds felt like hours. Terri remembered her Red Cross instructor repeating to her class that “even if you don’t do it right, at least you’re doing something.” She kept breathing for Chris while Susan did chest compression for 15 minutes, until the EMTs arrived at the wedding location.

Chris spent a week in the hospital, but is now back to work. “Terri was there for me,” he says. “If it was not for her, I would not be here, and I realize that every day.”

Click here to learn more about the Red Cross.

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