On a warm October night, DCD’s middle school music teacher Scott Miller joined a group of friends at the TD Garden. The Bruins were playing the Minnesota Wild when a man came running through the halls calling for a doctor or someone who knew CPR. Scott rushed over to the stands and found a man named Tim fallen to the floor in cardiac distress.
Looking back, Scott described the feeling of shifting into autopilot, recalling his refresher CPR course, which he had just taken at DCD a week prior to this moment. Tim’s teeth were clenched, his eyes were wide and unresponsive, and he was not breathing. After confirming that the staff had called 911, Scott asked bystanders to help lay Tim between the stands. Then, he interlaced his hands, and began chest compressions, which he administered for roughly seven minutes before someone arrived with an AED machine. A physical therapist checked for a pulse, while a physician’s assistant aided Scott with an AED machine, working to charge Tim back to consciousness. The AED machine prompted Scott to continue compressions. Finally, EMT’s took over, whisked Tim away in an ambulance, and the hockey game continued as planned.
After months of waiting to hear about Tim’s condition, Scott was invited back to the Garden last Sunday to be honored for his efforts and to meet Tim, who was well on his way to a full recovery. Scott continues to keep in touch with Tim and his family, and feels an immense amount of purpose in having helped to save a life. At DCD, we know Scott as a middle school music teacher and a kind face on campus. To Tim, Scott is the man that saved his life and a forever friend.
We are proud that Scott is a member of our community, and that his safety training at DCD prepared him to assist someone in need. A special thank you to CPR Instructor Juanita Allen Kingsley, for incredible instruction of all DCD faculty and staff. After the whirlwind of events, Scott’s main message to everyone able and eligible is to get CPR certified.
We never know how the things we learn might come back to serve us one day, and we’re grateful that Mr. Miller’s actions are able to remind us that learning is not only a way of life— learning can save a life.
