THE SAVED EFFECT

In this anthology of inspirational vignettes, a father and daughter in life-saving professions reflect on the split-second decisions that save lives.

“A small action or a simple moment of readiness can lead to consequences far more meaningful than we may ever know,” writes Kiera Newbury in the book’s preface. As trained EMTs, Kiera and her father, co-author Brad Newbury, have nearly a half-century of combined experience in emergency medicine. While life-or-death actions are part of the work of many in the medical profession, they rarely see the impact of their efforts in the months, years, and decades that follow. In this inspirational collection of real-life stories, the Newburys share 10 harrowing accounts in which courageous actions, often taken by strangers, have saved lives. Readers are introduced to 8-year-old Madeleine Jackman, whose dinner with her vacationing family at a restaurant turned into a nightmare when a piece of steak became lodged in her throat. It was only through the calm, skilled intervention of a nurse who happened to be eating at a table nearby that she was saved. Emphasizing how one act can not only save a life but also have ripple effects for decades to come, the authors describe Madeleine’s subsequent advocacy for making CPR training a high school graduation requirement. This story is emblematic of the book, which focuses both on the courageous actions of others and the ways in which those actions affect families and communities long afterward. While many of the stories are based on interviews conducted by the authors, some are drawn from their own experiences in the field. Brad, for example, shares the story of how he saved a man named Frank Nagle’s life in 1994 when Nagle was suffering a heart attack, and he poignantly details his later interactions with Nagle’s family, who were able to spend two more decades with their loved one. In addition to providing engaging anecdotes that effectively balance descriptions of traumatic medical emergencies with touching, deeply personal stories, the book makes an effective case for universal CPR training.

A compelling collection that illustrates how quick, decisive actions can transform lives forever.