Michigan Teen’s Quick Thinking Saves Man’s Life on Mackinac Island

The Boy Scouts of America's motto is "Be Prepared".

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And that motto was recently put into action, when a West Michigan Boy Scout helped save a man's life on Mackinac Island.

Last Tuesday, 14-year-old Kenny Recor of Lowell, Michigan was wrapping up a three-hour shift for the Scout Honor Guard at Fort Mackinac when he was alerted to a man that had suffered a heart attack and needed help.

Kenny made sure someone had called 911 and then he took off running up and down the hill to find an automated external defibrillator (AED) with his scout leader, despite having exercise-induced asthma.

Kenny Recor shared with Wood TV 8 about the scary moment.

“I knew at that moment — I was scared — but I had to do something,” he said. “I felt my training kick in and I remembered that during a heart attack, time is the most important factor, so I knew I didn’t have time to worry and be scared.”

Read More: 25 Things Michigan Is Known And Famous For

Kenny knows his stuff when it comes to acting fast to help someone that had a heart attack.

According to the National Institutes of Health, about half of those who die from heart attacks will die within an hour of their first symptom.

Permanent damage can occur in as little as 30 minutes. Being able to quickly recognize what’s happening and act may save someone's life.

While Kenny and his scout master were grabbing the AED an off duty nurse started administering CPR which helped keep the man alive until first responders arrived.

What an incredible story and a great reason for your kid to become a Boy Scout.