While the Labor Day weekend, for many, is filled with relaxing and enjoying time off work, one off-duty firefighter from Maine sprang into action during his vacation out of state.
Dave Tapley is a firefighter and EMT at Kennebunk Fire and Rescue. He spent Saturday, Aug. 31 on Cape Cod when he saw a woman holding an unconscious man while in Dyer Pond.
“My instincts took over, and I kind of raced over to grab him by the arm,” Tapley said. “I also directed everybody around me to help me.”
Tapley then started CPR as he carried the swimmer to shore. Once they got to shore, he continued life-saving efforts and got others around to do CPR as well.
“If anything, what I would gain from this, is bystander CPR does save lives,” Tapley said.