Just after 1 a.m. on Saturday night, a 70-year-old woman in Petah Tikva was found unresponsive by her daughter, who immediately called emergency services.

United Hatzalah EMT Shimon Bach, who was enjoying a quiet movie night with his wife, swiftly responded to the emergency notification he received on his communications device. Within a minute, he arrived at the scene, finding the woman unconscious with shallow breathing.

As Bach initiated assisted ventilation, his friend United Hatzalah volunteer David Bashari arrived. Bashari had a personal connection with the family, having assisted them before. Tragically, just a week prior, he had performed CPR on the woman’s husband, who was beyond help and had passed away. Bashari, who was even scheduled to accompany the family to the husband’s grave the next morning to mark the end of the Shiva mourning period, now found himself treating the wife.

Shortly after Bashari’s arrival, the woman’s condition worsened, and she stopped breathing, her pulse undetectable. Undeterred, the duo attached a defibrillator and began CPR. With no shock recommended, they persisted with chest compressions and assisted ventilation.

Within 5 minutes, an Advanced Life Support ambulance team arrived at the scene. The paramedic administered medication, while the team continued their efforts to revive the woman. After about 15 minutes, the woman’s pulse and breathing were restored. She was rapidly transported to the hospital for further treatment.

“It’s a powerful feeling,” said Bach after the incident. “I am glad that I was able to arrive quickly in these first critical minutes, which made a big difference.”

“It was very moving,” added Bashari. “Instead of accompanying her to her husband’s grave, I performed CPR on her and helped revive her. I pray that she will make a full recovery.”