CPR became the first kiss between paddleboard enthusiasts who fell in love after a life-threatening emergency while training for an event.
It all began when Max Montgomery decided he wanted to enter a New York City paddleboard event and took to Facebook to look for a training partner, CBS News reported.
Andi Traynor answered his call and the two set about training together, but on their fourth paddle session things took a turn for the worse.
Montgomery suddenly began to feel a burning sensation in his chest and went into cardiac arrest. Traynor, a doctor, dropped to her knees and started to administer CPR.
"I checked for a pulse and I didn't feel a pulse," Traynor said, according to CBS News. "I just -- I thought he was dead."
Montgomery’s heart did not beat for nearly 20 minutes, but CPR kept his brain alive the whole time.
EMTs arrived at the scene, and after six defibrillator shocks, brought Montgomery back from the brink.
"That first kiss being CPR was obviously very magical because here I am and I'm very grateful that I'm able to experience further kisses," he said later, according to CBS News.
After the ordeal, the couple began using their story to help save the lives of others by teaching emergency lifesaving skills to the public.
"Anything can happen at any time to anyone," Montgomery said. "We've helped start bringing this short 5-10 minute lifesaving instructions to teach people who to give CPR, to call 911, how to get an AED device."
When they are not teaching essential lifesaving skills to the public, the couple uses paddleboarding to connect members of less advantaged communities under their non-profit organization, Paddle4Good.
According to their website, "empowering and connecting people through inclusive, adventure-based water activities such as stand up paddling for underserved populations, mentoring, life-saving education, and environmental awareness creates untold possibilities while building stronger communities."
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