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 Robert Esnayra Saves His Friends' Life After He Collapses While Playing Racquetball; Look For This Story in This Weekend's La Mirada Lamplighter
La Mirada~Robert Esnayra and Marco Perez were doing their usual thing this past October 31st, playing racquetball, but the day ended in a fashion they never imagined-with Robert saving Marco's life.
The two often get together at the now closed La Mirada LA Fitness to play racquetball.
On this day, while they were playing, Robert watched in fear as his partner collapsed to the ground and fell unconscious. He noticed Marco was struggling to breath and also was gasping for air.
Robert immediately started performing CPR to his friend, applying compressions to his chest, and began to call for his friend to come out of it.
He acquired the knowledge of performing CPR at a police academy and other jobs he has worked at.
Marco was not responding. A worker at the gym brought Robert an Automatic External Defibrilator (AED) unit. "After I hooked up the device it indicated he had no pulse, so I followed the instructions on the machine and administered a shock," he said.
He continued with the compressions and about a minute and a half later, before another shock was needed, Marco miraculously regained consciousness.
Paramedics arrived, and after high-fiving Robert, they transported him to St. Jude Medical Center, where he was held for observation overnight and released the next day. The doctors told him that he had some moderate artery blockage that could have led to the collapse. He is now being treated for the condition.
"I don't remember anything. I remember waking up and people staring down at me," Marco said.
For his heroic actions, the City of La Mirada recently recognized Robert at a regularly scheduled City Council Meeting with the Community Spotlight Award which is "designed to recognize those individuals, who through their actions bring credit to themselves and to the City of La Mirada." He was presented with the award plaque by Mayor Steve Jones.
Marco said, "He really deserves it. He is actually really humble, but he deserves this recognition."
Later, other regular players commented to Robert, explaining to him how they were thankful he was there because, "I don't think anyone else would have jumped into action."
Marco hates to think what would have happened had his friend not stepped in, "I would have been dead," he said, "I am so thankful and have been blessed. And, everyone should get checked out. You never know what kind of condition you are walking around with."
They are back playing again, although now, they meet at the La Habra location and their racquetball ritual probably feels just that much better.
pictured in photo left to right: Marco Perez, Mayor Steve Jones, and Robert Esnayra
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