MORRISON, Colo. — Karl Klausner earned the Civilian Award from West Metro Fire Rescue (WMFR) for saving someone’s life in a restaurant.
WMFR said it’s a recognition for someone that goes above and beyond what they would normally do. Klausner stepped into action when he noticed someone choking across the restaurant.
“Next thing I know, there's somebody choking across the restaurant and I had to jump up and go save her,” Klausner said. “I performed about two or three Heimlich maneuvers and she actually went limp in my arms. So I had to lay her down because she had then went unconscious. So I had to start performing CPR on her after that.”
Karl has trained for these cases at work as a journeyman lineman. He just didn't think he'd ever need to use his training, especially outside of work.
“I think she was unconscious for probably about a minute and a half, a minute 45 [seconds],” Klausner said. “You can tell in her throat she started to swallow something. And her lips that were blue, started getting their color back. It was pretty remarkable how quickly the color came back after she swallowed the obstruction.”
After the fire rescue got to the restaurant, and the woman was okay, Klausner carried on with his night.
“I went back to my table very quickly and kind of continued my dinner after that,” Klausner said.
But people nearby were proud to point out the hero to first responders.
"All the witnesses I guess were like pointing [and saying] 'Yeah that's the guy, that's the guy,’” Klausner said.
“It's so cool [and] it's so cool because no matter where we put a fire truck or where we put an ambulance, we are always going to be roughly 4 to 6 minutes until we get there," said Jasen Mcconaghy, the assistant chief with West Metro Fire Rescue. "Within that 4 to 6 minutes, there's a lot that can happen.”
West Metro Fire Rescue honored Klausner with the Civilian Award.
“By doing the Heimlich maneuver and dislodging that member, really is what saved her life,” Mcconaghy said.
Klausner said he wasn't seeking any recognition. Saving a stranger's life was his responsibility with a soul-filling reward.
“I was like alright, I need to do this [because] I have a duty as a certified CPR and first aid,” Klausner said. “I was honored to stand in front of a room full of firefighters and EMTs that do this for a living, and they put their lives on the line to help keep Colorado beautiful and safe.”
