Delaware County Deputy Earns ‘Superstar’ Award For Saving Stroke Victim

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. These are the people who inspire us all, each and every day and that's why it's so important to recognize them. One such hero has been recognized for saving a life - a Delaware County Deputy Sheriff.

Yesterday, Sheriff Craig DuMond awarded Samantha Acuna with the Sheriff’s Superstar Award because of her quick thinking actions that saved a man's life on April 8 when she was dispatched by the county's 911 service to check on the welfare of an individual.

A man in need of quick assistance was found by Deputy Acuna in his home. The man was suffering from a stroke and Acuna performed necessary protocols and aid at the scene prior to the arrival of medical emergency services arriving at that location.

It was determined that Deputy Acuna’s fast-acting assistance likely saved the man's life or at least prevented further complications from the stroke. A job well done and nothing short of heroic Deputy Acuna!

It's always important to act quickly to help someone suffering a stroke to not only save their life but to prevent further complications. In regards to helping someone having a stroke, you may have heard of ACT F.A.S.T. because every second counts when someone is having a stroke according to Secondscount.org. Immediate attention is so important in not only saving the person's life but in limiting the amount of brain damage that can be caused as the clock ticks away. A person having a stroke only has three hours from the time of the first symptom to receive treatment that can minimize the damage to their brain which can cause serious, long-term, disabilities.

It's important to know what the signs of a stroke are. The American Stroke Association came up with ACT F.A.S.T. to help people learn the signs of a stroke.

F = Face drooping. Is one side of the person’s face drooping or numb? Also look for an uneven smile.
A = Arm weakness. Is the person experiencing weakness or numbness in one arm? Have the person raise both arms. Does one of the arms drift downward?
S = Speech difficulty. Check for slurred speech or have the person you suspect is having a stroke repeat back to you a simple sentence to see if they can.
T = Time to call 9-1-1. If you witness or experience any of the symptoms above don't hesitate to dial 9-1-1! Make sure you note the time when the first symptom started to share with medical responders.

Acting quickly is the key to saving someone and limiting complications.

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After presenting Deputy Acuna with the Superstar Award, Sheriff DuMond made the comment, "This incident clearly illustrates that there is no such thing as a routine 911 call and that each day police officers selflessly and heroically make contributions to make our communities brighter and safer for all of us".