(Seminole County, Fla) – The Seminole County Fire Department recently recognized a son-in-law who helped save his father-in-law’s life with CPR. On September 14, 2024, in Sanford at 4:15 p.m. 61-year-old resident Randy Youngblood suffered a severe cardiac arrest and coded. The day before, Randy’s mother passed away from a cardiac arrest and the family were all gathered together that day.

Randy’s daughter Cayla immediately called 911 and was thankful for Dispatcher MiKayala Kruse’s assistance. Their son-in-law Mason Brown performed CPR until Seminole County Fire Department (SCFD) units arrived on scene and swiftly took over and stabilized Randy using defibrillation, and other ALS protocols.  He was then transported to HCA Lake Monroe and recovered. 

Brown, a former Marine who served in Afghanistan, immediately started performing CPR on Randy. His skill and training kicked in.

“I’m very close to my father-in-law and we were all determined that he was going to live,” said Brown. “We were doing everything in our power to work together with the first responders at the Seminole County Fire Department and we are so thankful Randy is here today.”

Brown and his family stressed the importance of everyone learning hands-only CPR. 

Mason was honored with a Citizen Life Saving Award for his integral role in saving a life along with the Seminole County Fire Department members:

·      Lieutenant Raul Sanchez 

·      Engineer/Paramedic Luis Santiago 

·      Firefighter Joshua Tackett

·      Firefighter Hunter Martin

·      Dispatcher MiKayla Kruse