Dwight Johnson with his son Mason. Photo credit: SMUD
IBEW 1245’s Executive Board has nominated SMUD member Dwight Johnson for the IBEW International Life Saving Award. While most nominees for this award are recognized for saving a life at work, Dwight has a more unique story; using the skills he learned at work to save a life in his own home.
Last month, Dwight’s two-year-old son Mason fell into the family’s backyard pool. Dwight found him, pulled him out and immediately began CPR on the toddler while his wife called 911.
“I did about four to five sets of CPR until the paramedics arrived,” he said in an interview with SMUD. “I was doing CPR until they pulled him out of my arms and took him to the hospital.”
Dwight believes that the CPR training he received at SMUD played a major role in his ability to stay calm and begin CPR on his young child – which ultimately saved the boy’s life.
Johnson credits his quick instincts to the skills he got from the training, along with his past experience as an Army medic. “I didn’t even hesitate to start CPR,” he recalled. “It was almost like a hurt man rescue training [for linemen].”
Mason spent 29 days in the hospital, including seven days in an intensive care unit. He was in a coma the first four days because of severe swelling of the brain.
“On the fifth day he opened his eyes,” Johnson recalled. “The doctors were amazed he did that. They honestly weren’t sure he was going to make it.”
Mason arrived home from the hospital on April 10. He’s still regaining all of his speech and motor functions, but he’s running, playing with his siblings and enjoying the toddler life.
This inspiring story moved 1245’s Executive Board to nominate Dwight for the honorable Life Saving Award. His nomination is awaiting approval from IBEW’s international office.
Watch coverage of Dwight’s amazing story from KCRA.
Lori Pena of SMUD contributed to this story.
Dwight Johnson and all of his kids (left to right) Lauren, Ryan, Mason and Eric. Photo credit: SMUD