LITTLE ROCK (KFSM) – Arkansas Sen. Jon Woods, R-Springdale, performed CPR on a woman at the state Capitol on Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 28), officials say.
During a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, a woman had a heart attack, Woods said.
He told 5NEWS that when it happened, people nearby said, “Call an ambulance!”
The woman was slumped back in her chair, taking small gasps of air, according to Woods.
Eventually, her face “went pale,” Woods said.
People at the meeting laid the woman down, and Woods performed CPR for 5-10 minutes until a medical crew arrived to stabilize her, he said.
Dr. Jim Bledsoe of Rogers also assisted in working to revive the woman, Woods said. Bledsoe is the husband of state Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, R-Rogers.
Rep. Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, who had been testifying with Woods on legislation they support, went out to contact emergency crews and guide them to the site.
At one point, a defibrillator was used on the woman, who appeared to be in her late 50s or early 60s, Woods said.
She was then taken to a nearby medical facility. She was treated and released from a Little Rock hospital later in the week, a state official said.
Woods is an Eagle Scout and was a lifeguard for five years, and he credited that for giving him the necessary skills to help the woman.
