OLYMPIA, Wash — Larry Shelman said doctors told him he died three times in September.
But Shelman said he’s still here today thanks to the quick actions of a group of third graders and staff members at Olympia’s L.P. Brown Elementary School.
Shelman collapsed while working as a substitute teacher in the music class on Sept. 28.
Students ran and got help.
“No pulse,” Shelman said. "And they brought me back to life!”
Principal Sean Shaughnessy said four of his staffers performed CPR and revived Shelman by using the school’s automated external defibrillator.
“I don’t know how any of it worked, all I know is they showed up and they jumped into action,” Shaughnessy said.
Sue Geiger, a second-grade teacher, was one of four staffers who gave Shelman chest compressions for more than three minutes before he was revived.
“Amazing," Geiger said. "He took a deep breath. I was hoping for it, but I wasn’t really expecting it. Then he kept breathing, which was so good.”
Shelman said doctors told him his heart stopped two more times after he arrived at St. Peter Providence Hospital.
He returned to L.P. Brown Elementary Monday to thank the co-workers who saved him.
“It’s a miracle,” Shelman said. “You can’t thank them enough, not even thanks does it.”
Shelman, who was back substitute teaching three weeks after the cardiac arrest, said he’s looking forward to teaching the students who were with him when he collapsed.
“To me, those are the true heroes, they could have freaked out and panicked,” Shelman said. “And they didn’t think twice.”