Bystander CPR Saved Bob Jackson’s Life—Now He Wants You to Learn It Too

A basketball game. A coach’s instructions. The sound of sneakers squeaking across the hardwood. It was just another Saturday in February 2023 for Bob Jackson, who was coaching his granddaughter’s third-grade basketball team in Blanchard, Oklahoma. Then, in an instant, everything changed.

During a timeout, Bob suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, collapsing on the court. His eyes grew wide before he fell to the floor. The gym, once filled with excited chatter, turned silent.

Luckily, the stands were filled with people who recognized what was happening—and knew exactly what to do.

Every Second Counts

Bystanders, including off-duty firefighters, rushed to Bob’s side. His heart had stopped. Without hesitation, they began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), keeping oxygen flowing to his brain. For nearly 12 minutes, they took turns compressing his chest, fighting to keep him alive until first responders arrived.

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Emergency personnel quickly placed an automated external defibrillator (AED) on Bob. They shocked him three times before his heart began beating again.

From the moment he collapsed to the time he was wheeled into Norman Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department, it was a fight against the clock. Bob received lifesaving treatment from on-call cardiologist Muhammad Anwar, MD and the skilled hospital team. Within two hours, a stent was placed in his heart. He was alive.

Looking back, Bob knows exactly why he survived.

There are about 350,000 cardiac arrests outside of hospitals every year in America, according to the CDC. Without early CPR or defibrillation, the chances of survival are less than 10%.

Because of quick-thinking bystanders—people who knew CPR—Bob beat the odds.

A Lifesaving Skill for Everyone

Now, Bob is using his story to help others.

Norman Regional, in partnership with Norman Public Schools and the Norman Regional Health Foundation, is hosting Keep the Beat 2025, a free community CPR training event.

The class will be hosted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Porter Health Village Education Center (901 N. Porter Ave., Norman, OK 73071.

"Knowing how to perform CPR can be the difference between life and death," said Kim Hills, Program Administrator for Norman Regional’s Cardiovascular Center of Excellence. "Our goal is to empower our community with the knowledge and confidence to take action in an emergency—just like the people who saved Bob’s life."

CPR isn’t just for healthcare providers—it’s a skill everyone should have. Whether you’re at a sports game, a grocery store, or at home, knowing how to respond could mean saving a loved one.

Bob hopes his experience will inspire more people to learn CPR and be prepared for the unexpected.

"I just really can't express how grateful I am for Norman Regional and for everyone who stepped in to help," Bob said. "I pray that my story will help save someone else’s life one day."

Join Keep the Beat 2025 and Learn CPR

Space for the event is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

To sign up or learn more, visit Norman Regional’s website and click events.