The GLASS Quarterly Hot Sheet

Jay Musler, Volcano Garden (Detail), 2007. Lampworked glass, oil paint. H 21, W 21, D 4 in. photo: jo-nell sieren. courtesy: ken saunders gallery

On August 28, noted artist Jay Musler was standing in line to get coffee at a Starbucks in Emeryville, California, when he crumpled to the ground experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. A customer called 911 and handed the phone to assistant manager Cerina Rodriguez, who administered CPR with the guidance of the emergency operator. Despite her lack of training, Cerina performed cardiocerebral recussitation (CCR) on Jay, pushing down on his chest at 60-100 beats a minute and keeping the blood flowing through his heart and his brain for the 10 minutes it took until the paramedics arrived with a defibrillator to shock Jay’s heart back to action.

“Cerina saved his life,” says Joan Kruckewitt, Jay’s wife.

The paramedics took Jay to a nearby hospital in Oakland, where doctors inserted a stent. After nearly four weeks in the hospital, Jay is currently in cardiac rehabilitation. His doctors are optimistic that he will make “an excellent recovery.”

“Jay’s cardiologists told me that Jay is a ‘miracle man,’ because the out-of-hospital survival rate of sudden cardiac arrest is only about 5 percent,” says Joan. “One person made all the difference. Cerina wasn’t afraid to get involved. Because of her, Jay is still with us.”

Jay will be getting back online to check his email soon, but in the meantime, get-well cards can be sent to:

Thank-you cards or flowers can be sent to Cerina at her workplace:

This story is evidence of the life-saving potential of CPR training. Learn about CPR training in your local area through the American Heart Association.