In the quiet suburbs of Palm Beach County, Florida, a 12-year-old boy named Austen MacMillan became an unlikely hero. Austen, a typical pre-teen with a penchant for video games and schoolyard adventures, found himself thrust into a life-or-death situation that would forever change his life and the life of the man he would save. The incident unfolded as Austen was spending time by the pool. Jason Piquette, Austen’s behavioral therapist, had joined him by the poolside. In a heart-stopping moment, Jason accidentally slipped into the water, plunging beneath the surface.
Learning CPR From ‘Stranger Things’
Austen’s courage was remarkable, but equally astonishing was his knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This critical skill, typically reserved for trained professionals, had been acquired by Austen in an unconventional manner: through his love for a Netflix series called Stranger Things.
In the show’s first season, there is a pivotal scene where the character Hopper, portrayed by David Harbour, administers CPR to the young Will Byers in the eerie and mysterious realm known as the Upside Down. Little did Austen know that his fascination with this fictional moment would soon translate into a real-life act of heroism.
A Brave and Quick Response
Without a moment to spare, Austen sprang into action. He dove headfirst into the deep end of the pool and retrieved Jason from the water. With the therapist now unresponsive, Austen raced outside the house to call for help. But as seconds turned into minutes with no one coming to his aid, Austen made a crucial decision.
He returned to the pool, his unwavering resolve evident in his every move. It was here that he began CPR, performing chest compressions and rescue breaths on his therapist. The entire incident was captured by the home’s recording system, and the video quickly made its way onto social media, touching the hearts of people worldwide.