When you wake up in the morning you never know where the day is going to take you. You could get a new project at work. You could trip and fall on the hiking trail. You could have an accident on the way to work. You could get a call from a long lost friend. You just never know.

For Pat Phillips, a Honeywell engineer for more than 20 years, there’s one day that will be etched in his mind forever.

Pat is a certified Red Cross CPR and First Aid instructor. He trains his colleagues how to save a life. That’s one of the many commitments he has with the Honeywell Emergency Response Team. On May 29 all of his training kicked into high gear.

“All I remember is feeling flushed and sick,” says Cal Hamilton, a Honeywell systems manager.

One day Pat heard a call for help on the radio he carries. “Man down in the hall,” screams a guard on the radio. Pat responds, “This is Pat Phillips. What’s going on?” Through the radio speakers he hears “A man is down in the hallway. He’s not breathing and turning blue.”

Pat ran a few yards to where the man was down. As he approaches he asked someone to call 9-1-1. The man was face down. “When I rolled him over he was in seizure posture, locked up and as blue as my shirt,” recalls Pat. When he realized the downed man was his great friend Cal he was overwhelmed with emotions…and thought…for just a second...”Can I do this?”

As quickly as that thought came into his head it was gone. “I put my Red Cross training into action,” says Pat. “Because he was seizing I couldn’t get to his airway. His hands were locked hands in front of his mouth.” Pat had to wait for the seizing to end. “Those five seconds felt like five hours,” remembers Pat with a sigh. As soon as the seizing ended Pat attempted two rescue breaths and his friend died right there in front of him. “I knew he was gone, but I was going to do everything I could to bring him back.”

Pat and Mark Marichi partnered and began CPR on Cal. Two breaths from Mark. Then 30 compressions from Pat. Two breaths from Mark. 30 compressions from Pat. By the time the pair completed the third cycle of CPR, someone had arrived with an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) which was used immediately. “We applied the pad and pushed the button to charge his heart,” recalls Pat. Then they started the fourth cycle of CPR. Before that round was over, the paramedics had arrived. They moved in fast and transported Cal to the closest hospital.

Pat could not believe what happened. He needed some time to deal with all of the emotions racing through his mind and heart. “I couldn’t stop crying,” says Pat. It was a strange feeling…unlike anything he’d ever felt before.

Within a couple of hours Pat was able to visit his friend in the hospital.

“I am so grateful to be here,” says Cal with a smile. “My family is happy I’m here too!”

Pat’s thrilled he’s still around, as well. The two have a long history of friendship. “I’ve known Pat for more than 20 years,” comments Cal. “He’s been the one constant in my life. We’ve always been there for each other.”

The pair also kicks dirt in the rodeo ring. “We have lots of fun participating in various competitions,” smiles Pat.

Pat’s a big believer in the Honeywell’s Emergency Response Team program.

Cal’s heart attack was the team’s biggest response to date, but team members are prepared for anything. Red Cross training is a big part of their preparedness.

“You never know when someone is going to need help. It could be a friend, like Cal, or a family member,” remarks Pat. Adding, “Red Cross CPR and First Aid training gives you the confidence to act in emergencies. You know what to do and can help someone.”

If you don’t think you need CPR and First Aid, think about the day that changed Pat and Cal’s lives forever. You never know what your day will bring. You never expect it, but it could bring an emergency. It’s important to be ready to handle it. Red Cross training provides you with the skills, knowledge and confidence to help someone. To register for a class, visit www.arizonaredcross.org.