Heroic effort: Mailman gives CPR to truck driver

Thursday, May 16, 2002 | 10:58 a.m.

North Las Vegas letter carrier James Martin, following U.S. Postal Service procedures, last week quietly reported to his boss an emergency situation he was involved in on his route.

He had helped a man in trouble, he told his supervisor.

A visit by the grateful family of Donald Carver to North Las Vegas Postmaster Craig Colton on Tuesday revealed the truth: Martin had saved the life of the truck driver who was having a heart attack by calling 911 and then performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

"I had been wondering for days if the guy had pulled through, but I didn't want to make a big deal about what had happened," Martin, 41, said Tuesday after being called into Colton's office, where Carver's wife and other family members hugged and thanked him.

"They told me the doctor had told them I had saved his life. But I didn't think I did, because the paramedics who took over had to shock him (with a defibrillator) twice to get him to come around.

"All I can say is that I was scared to death. I was shaking during and after the incident."

Carver remains in serious but stable condition at Lake Mead Hospital across the street from the post office where Martin works. Doctors expect Carver to make a full recovery, Martin said.

The 11-year postal veteran learned CPR at a post office in California in 1992. He had never performed the procedure on a person, though.

Last Wednesday, after punching the time clock at 6:30 a.m., Martin on a whim stopped to read the CPR instructions posted on the bulletin board. Shortly before 11 a.m. he drove into Cashman Equipment on Craig Road to deliver mail.

"I drove around a rig and I saw a man lying on the ground," Martin said. "I thought he had fallen off the truck and broke his leg. I pulled up to him and yelled 'You OK buddy?' Then I looked closer and saw his face was blue."

Martin jumped out of his postal truck and slapped Carver, but got no response. He called 911 on his cellular phone, then went to work.

"I looked in his mouth for blockage and saw that his tongue was swollen," Martin said. "I just started breathing into his mouth."

Martin said he felt for a pulse but there was none, nor did Carver's heart sound like it was beating.

After several chest pumps Martin again breathed into Carver's mouth and, on his own, Carver took a deep breath and gurgled as he exhaled.

"I didn't know if that was a good sign or not, but I just kept breathing into his mouth," Martin said, noting the ambulance arrived about three minutes after his call. Paramedics took over and thanked Martin for his efforts.

Colton said he plans to recommend Postal Service honors for Martin, now that the family has come forward.

"It was like watching a soap opera -- it was so moving, watching them all thank James for what he had done," Colton said. "We will try to do something to honor James."

As for the attention he is getting, Martin said, "I'll just take my 15 minutes (of fame) and go right back to work.

"I hope I never have to do it (CPR) again, but if it happens, I won't hesitate to do whatever I can to help someone."