Streamwood Teen Uses CPR To Save Girl's Life
(CBS) --A Streamwood teenager is being hailed as a hero for saving the life of a girl, thanks to a skill he had but never thought he'd ever use.
As a member of the explorer program for youth, 16-year-old Andrew Wilson took CPR classes with the Elgin Police, and what he learned saved a life.
"I was surprised that what I was doing was working because I never did it in real life," Wilson said.
Last Friday, Wilson was in Peoria with Streamwood High School teammates for the IHSA's annual chess tournament.
"We were eating dinner in the lobby of the hotel and we heard a bunch of screaming coming from the pool," Wilson said.
At the Spring Hill Suites Hotel pool, a seven-year-old girl was suffering a seizure when her grandfather pleaded if anyone knew CPR.
After about 40 chest compressions, the girl revived and began to breathe. Andrew called his dad, Elgin Police officer Greg Wilson.
"I was very proud and was just trying to reassure him that what he did was awesome and great and it worked out," said officer Greg Wilson.
Andrew, who wrapped his first year on the chess team, is now is getting comfortable with his newfound status.
Elgin Police Chief Jeff Swoboda says Wilson's actions show that despite their youth, members of the police explorer program are real leaders.
Andrew Wilson hopes to follow his father's footsteps to a career in law enforcement.