A Virginia Girl Scout sprung into action and saved her dad’s life using the CPR – a technique she had learned just days earlier.
Vada Carawan, 11, had only performed CPR on a dummy during training sessions with her Virginia Beach Girl Scout troop 11 days before the terrifying incident.
But any doubts she had about her abilities were put aside when her father, Clint, started having a heart attack on November 23.
‘First, I was like “I don’t know if I can do CPR,” but apparently I can,’ Vada, who’s birthday was four days prior, told WAVY.
The brave daughter fought through her tears to help her dad. While calling 911, Vada started doing chest compressions on her father until paramedics arrived to their home.
Vada and the paramedics’ efforts revived her dad before he was taken to the hospital, where he is still recovering.
According to a GoFundMe made to support Vada’s family and Clint’s recovery, Vada noticed her dad was not feeling well all day, prompting her to stay by his side.
Vada’s mom, Amanda, wrote: ‘He had been tired all day, and by late afternoon, he mentioned pain in his left arm.
Vada Carawan, 11, and her mom, Amanda, described the shocking moment Clint had a heart attack and the Girl Scout used her CPR training to save his life
Vada noticed her dad was not feeling well all day and immediately called 911 and started chest compressions when he fell to the ground
‘Vada remembered him saying once that this could be a warning sign of a heart attack, and her concern grew.’
Clint was taking longer than usual in the bathroom, so Vada called out to make sure he was okay.
But he left the bathroom shakily and grabbed onto his dresser before dropping to the ground.
Vada said even her dog, Maggie, was ‘freaking out’ when he collapsed.
Amanda added: ‘Throughout all of this, Clint has one thing on his mind: his daughter. Every time someone mentions Vada, he lights up, calling her his “angel” and saying how “terrific” she is.
‘And he’s right. Vada is not just a little girl. She’s a lifesaver.’
Clint was first rushed to Virginia Beach General Hospital before being airlifted to Norfolk Heart Hospital, according to the GoFundMe.
Vada told WAVY she was the only Girl Scout in her troop to successfully ‘save the dummy’ during the CPR course.
She said performing CPR on a real person – let alone her own father – was much different than what she practiced.
Vada said: ‘It’s kind of hard to put into words because it was so scary.
‘I think I was a little weaker because it’s not the same doing it on a dummy because it’s not your dad.’
Amanda said Clint is Vada’s hero everyday and by helping to save his life, Vada got to be his
Vada and her family encourage everyone to learn CPR regardless of their age, citing the fact that the 11-year-old was able to save her father
The young Girl Scout encouraged everyone to learn this essential technique that could save someone’s life.
She told WAVY: ‘I definitely don’t think you’re too young for anything. I think you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.’
Amanda reiterated this sentiment on the GoFundMe page.
Vada’s mother wrote: ‘Above all, we want to share a message with everyone: teach and learn CPR as early as possible.
‘Vada proved that even the smallest hands can make the biggest difference. You never know when you’ll be called to act, and the skills you learn today could save a life tomorrow.’
Amanda said to the outlet that Clint is Vada’s hero every single day, but ‘she got to be his hero’ when she helped him survive his heart attack.
