Eric Metzner poses for a photo while on vacation in Chicago, Illinois. Metzner was recently recognized for an act of heroism when he gave CPR to a baby who had falled in a pool. Air Force courtesy photo. Eric Metzner poses for a photo in front of a training aircraft with his family. Metzner was recently recognized for an act of heroism when he performed CPR to save a baby who had fallen in a pool.
Air Force Courtesy Photo. German Air Force Capt. As he approached the scene, he saw his neighbor kneeling on the lawn, holding her one-year-old daughter, who was blue, wet and unresponsive. The mother had found her daughter face-down in the pool, not knowing how long she had been underwater. Save my baby, please, save my baby. He sprang into action. Directing a bystander to call an ambulance, Metzner began performing CPR as other neighbors gathered, stunned. As a German Air Force pilot, he had also received additional combat-focused medical training.
However, he had never learned how to perform CPR on an infant. Despite his uncertainty, Metzner set the baby on the ground and began chest compressions with two fingers.
The baby spat up water. He did just that, hoping that it would work. The baby spit up more water and started coughing. Her heartbeat strengthened. Metzner then stripped off his shirt and wrapped the baby in it to keep her warm until the ambulance arrived. As a winged German Air Force aviator for the past 7 years, he is deeply familiar with having to manage nerves while making quick decisions. In , he played a pivotal role in saving the life of another pilot who had a seizure in a flight room.
Metzner credits his wife, Kasia, for helping the emergency go smoothly. While he focused on saving the baby, she cleared the road for the ambulance, brought towels to warm the baby and managed their children and dogs to ensure no interference.
