On a recent Shabbat at 3:00 a.m. Dov Bash was fast asleep when the broadcast of his United Hatzalah communications device jolted him awake, alerting him to a nearby medical emergency.The volunteer quickly jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes, and rushed outside to his ambucycle. Seconds later, Dov was driving through the quiet streets of Telse Stone, and heading onto route 425, towards the nearby yishuv of Maale Hahamisha. Arriving at the scene and grabbing his medical kit, Dov joined another United Hatzalah volunteer, a resident of Maale Hahamisha, who had begun CPR on the pulseless infant.

A woman had just given birth, which was the cause of the call Dov received., At first the newborn had been a healthy breathing baby when suddenly the infant stopped crying, and his face had gone red. The baby had stopped breathing and quickly lost consciousness.

The duo performed chest compressions and systematic ventilations on the newborn for an interminable 25 minutes, fighting tenaciously to save a life that had begun just minutes before. Thankfully, they managed to restore a steady pulse and shortly afterward, an intensive care ambulance arrived. As the driver was the sole medical responder in the ambulance, Dov hopped in the vehicle with the parents, in order to take care of the baby on the way to the hospital.

Dov escorted the couple and infant into the emergency room and made sure they were taken care of immediately. After they were handed over to the medical team and receiving expert care Dov then went downstairs to wait for the ambulance driver to take him home. Due to unexpected delays, by the time Dov arrived home, it was 6:00 a.m., almost time to rise for Shabbat morning prayers.

“ When I returned home, I checked in on my kids to make sure they were fine,” Dov explained. “I’ve had the privilege of volunteering with United Hatzalah for three years now, and I have been present in many labors, but every time, with no exception, I go home with a greater appreciation for my children’s health and well being. I think it’s a father thing.”