Charleston County Release Number: 2357
Date: June 12, 2003

As he watched his grandmother collapse on the floor, Christopher Keyser instinctively dialed 9-1-1 for help. Following instructions from Charleston County dispatcher Suzy Callender, Keyser was able to breathe life into his grandmother until an EMS unit arrived at the home.

In honor of his quick action, ability to stay calm and follow Callender’s instructions, Keyser will be honored at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, with the presentation of the Breath of Life Award from Charleston County EMS at the Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building, 4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston. (Meet at the back of the building on the first floor by the wall of windows.)

Keyser, 25, was at the Mt. Pleasant home of his grandmother, Helen Walker, 75, for a family gathering when she collapsed from a heart attack on May 23. Upon arrival, Charleston County EMS Paramedic Kenneth Atwell and EMT Stephen Riddle found Keyser performing CPR while listening to Callender’s instructions on the phone.

In a letter to Atwell and Riddle, Rev. Cameron P. Keyser of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church wrote, “I am writing to thank you for your outstanding assistance … I am most grateful, also, for the assistance the dispatcher gave to our 25-year-old son, Christopher, who administered CPR to his grandmother until you arrived.”

Earlier this year, Callender was named the 2002 Telecommunicator of the Year by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Walker was transported to East Cooper Regional Medical Center for emergency care. She was later transported to the Medical University for cardiac care in response to the heart attack. Within 36 hours of the incident, Walker began to show signs that she would make a complete recovery. She is expected to be released from the hospital this week.

“On behalf of my wife, and Helen, I want to commend you on a job well done,” said Rev. Keyser, Walker’s son-in-law. “Had it not been for your quick and professional response, a situation which is looking brighter and more joyous each day would have – without question – been very dark and sad, indeed.”