Save the Dog and the Iguana! (and don’t forget the Bull Semen)

30 compressions 2 breaths!

The small house was on fire. On a scene like this, when Firefighters know there are individuals inside or are unsure, the department goes into search and rescue mode. Assuring that it is safe to enter, firefighters search every room.

Eric Litzenburg (former Santa Fe County firefighter and Santa Fe City Chief) and his partner donned their gear and entered the house. They searched the kitchen and the living room: nothing. They proceeded to the back bedrooms, making sure to search the closets and under the beds; often, those places are where scared children hide from the dragon fire.

It was under the bed that they found the dog. Eric reached underneath to pull the dog out. It was a medium-sized mix breed who seemed dead, probably from smoke inhalation. The dog was limp, and there were no signs of life. Eric and his partner lifted the dog and carried him outside.

They stripped their gear, looked at each other, and began improvised CPR. Eric had done CPR on humans before, but never on an animal, nor had it been covered in any of the hundreds of trainings to become a paramedic.

The two of them thought they had to try something, so Eric put his hands over the dog's snout and began rescue breathing.

The other firefighter, working on instinct, began doing chest compressions.

After a few rounds, miraculously, the dog began to breathe on his own. I say miraculously because the rate for humans who undergo just CPR (no defibrillation) and get Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) out of the hospital is only about 5%.

The paramedic crew on the scene scooped up the dog and rushed him to a nearby Veterinarian's office.

The dog survived and went back to his family. (the house was lost).

There has been a big push for all of us to learn CPR. When someone goes into cardiac arrest, it is witnessed, and CPR begins immediately. It can make a big difference. (It's also why you see defibrillators in malls, airports, and schools.)

But what about our dogs? What would you do if you found your dog unresponsive and not breathing?

A common reaction (because it is scary!) is to freeze and panic. But as Eric pointed out, it's essential to step into the emergency and do something. A little knowledge helps: you can search for dog CPR online. It's a simple skill and valuable information to have in your back pocket.

It's the commitment to do something that's important. In the fire service, there is a saint who helps. She's called Saint Adrenaline. Controlled, she can help us dive into emergencies. She will be there for you.

Eric has attempted to rescue other animals found in fires. Some were successful, some were not. One of the most notable was at a fire at a preschool in Santa Fe called Little Earth School. The fire department arrived at night to find the school on fire. They went into search and rescue mode. In the animal room, several animals had succumbed to dense smoke. But an iguana in a box, lying on his side, was pumping his legs. Eric grabbed the little lizard and hustled out of the building. He and the crew found a plastic box used for supplies, emptied it, and put the iguana inside. Then, they stuck two oxygen tubes in the box and turned on the oxygen full blast. Eric went back to fight the fire. A few minutes later, he heard on the radio that the iguana was up and moving.

Although the rest of the animals died, the iguana became a symbol for the school of renewal and resilience.

Rescue situations, be it for humans or animals, are rare at fires. When they happen, and the outcome is good, it lifts everyone's spirits.

There was a barn fire at a cattle ranch in southern Santa Fe County. The cattle were all out, but the barn was still burning. Then the call came over the radio, "Save the bull semen!" Firefighters ran into the building, found the canisters, and brought them out. Another save. Spirits lifted.

Firefighters and first responders live the core reason we are all here: to help each other. With a little bit of knowledge and Saint Adrenaline by your side, when the time comes, be it for a human, a dog or an iguana, you will be able to join them. It will change your life.

Hersch’s book, “Dog Lesson’s: Learning the Important Stuff from our best Friends” is available at bookstores everywhere and online.