Cardiac arrest survivors reunited with EMS workers who saved them

WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) -- Several people, who survived going into sudden cardiac arrest, were reunited with the EMS workers who helped save their lives.

Mike Ratchford of New Castle, Delaware literally lived to see another day thanks to several quick thinking strangers including John Reardon.

Ratchford was working out at the gym Memorial Day weekend last year when he fell to the ground.

"After I finished my routine, I collapsed, had a heart attack, went to setting cardiac arrest. I had no chest pain or anything like that. I thought I was in pretty good shape but apparently I wasn't," said Ratchford.

Reardon, an employee at the gym, sprang into action.

"We figured we need to cut his shirt open and attach the AED to use it," he said.

On Wednesday night, Reardon was among the 140 people honored for saving a life at the third annual 'Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivors Reunion.'

Paramedics, firefighters and everyday citizens across New Castle County were honored for their life saving tactics.

And many of the survivors met those who helped them for the first time

It's all in honor of National Heart Month.

"People get involved in emergency services to make a difference. There's very few things that compare to making a difference to someone who was clinically dead and is able to live their life," said Chief Lawrence Tan.

Ratchford is living proof that the seconds and minutes count.

"Made all the difference in the world - saved my life. I've had a full recovery since then my doctors gave me a thumbs up," he said.