Denver Hero Saves a Life Using Red Cross CPR Skills

By Andrea Carlson

The American Red Cross celebrates heroes who use their Red Cross training to assist others in an emergency. Sean McColgan is the epitome of a hero. Several years ago, Sean was involved in a motorcycle accident that sidelined his paramedic training. It took months for Sean to fully undergo his treatments, surgeries and adjusting to life as an amputee. After nearly a year, Sean returned to school where he resumed his medical training and eventually became a firefighter and EMT. When he moved to Colorado, Sean started working for Helix & Boss Security, where he received his Red Cross CPR and AED training.

On March 1, 2019, McColgan was working for Boss Security, a high-level security company, and was stationed at a front desk at the Renaissance Lofts Apartments in Denver, when he was notified of an unconscious resident. McColgan quickly grabbed his medical supplies from behind the desk and advised a coworker to call 9-1-1 and asked them to relay the information to dispatch operators.

“When I got upstairs and I saw who it was, I knew him, and I couldn’t’ believe it. I just kept asking, what did you do. And then when I saved him, it was incredible and getting an award, that’s just the cherry on the cake.” said McColgan.

Sean McColgan found the resident sitting upright, unconscious and unresponsive in a chair. After attempts to wake the gentleman, he assessed the man and determined he was not breathing and there was no pulse to be found. He started to perform chest compression and rescue breaths.

After multiple sets of CPR, Mr. McColgan administered the first dose of Naloxone and continued to provide rescue breaths and compressions. After two more cycles of CPR, Mr. McColgan allowed a nearby resident to administer the second dose of Naloxone. The gentleman sat up and took a gasping breath.

After the man was resuscitated, Mr. McColgan began to evaluate and assess by asking SAMPLE questions. Emergency Medical Services arrived shortly after and continued to provide care. The gentleman was transported to a local hospital.

On Thursday, September 19, 2019, Sean was presented with the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit. This is the highest awards given by the American Red Cross to an individual or team of individuals who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.

This action exemplifies the highest degree of concern of one human being for another who is in distress. The certificate bears the signatures of the President of the United States, who is the Honorary Chairman of the Red Cross, and the Red Cross Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter.

“It’s been a heck of a long ride,” says McColgan, “for you guys to all come out and put this on for me, I seriously cannot tell you how much this means to mean, thank you does not even begin to scratch the surface. I hope my story encourages others to get out there. Get out there and save lives.”

Based on his own experience, McColgan encourages everyone, to learn First Aid/CPR skills.

Red Cross training gives people the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session) and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.

If you or someone you know has used skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain the life of another individual, visit LifesavingAwards.org to nominate, recognize, or be inspired.