Anthony
Super Moderator
A Spokane County sheriff's deputy saved a newborn's life Friday. He cleared the baby's airway and performed CPR until paramedics showed up to the scene.
Deputy Randy Watts was in the area when he heard a 1:38 a.m. call that a woman had delivered a baby who was not breathing.
When the deputy arrived to the house, the father met him at the door. He brought Watts to the bathroom where the mother had just delivered a baby girl with the assist of a midwife.
Watts found both women leaning over the newborn. "The infant was purple, not breathing and didn't have a pulse," a statement released from the sheriff's office.
The deputy, who has basic medical training, started rescue breathing and chest compressions. He soon realized the newborn's airway was blocked with mucus.
Watts put the baby on his forearm and began to pat her back until she spit up fluid from her nose and mouth.
Once that happened, the rescue breaths became effective and the color began to return to the baby's skin.
Watts carried the newborn to the ambulance and continued chest compressions.
On the way to the hospital, the newborn was able to maintain her heart rate and attempted to breathe on her own several times.
The sheriff's office say the newborn is recovering nicely at the hospital. She has regained her color, was taken off her ventilator and is now stable with a strong pulse.
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