A Washington State golfer is back on the greens just weeks after a harrowing near-death experience, all thanks to the quick thinking and heroic actions of another golfer, Otis Alridge. The two recently reunited on the golf course for the first time since the life-changing event, which unfolded in a matter of seconds.
Chris Honingford, the man whose life was saved, expressed his deep gratitude as he met Alridge face-to-face for the first time since that day.
The incident occurred on August 20, a day Honingford doesn’t remember but one Alridge will never forget. During the game, Honingford, who had recently been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), suddenly collapsed mid-swing on the third hole.
“The heart, just when you have AFib, it beats really fast or really slow. Well, it got to the point where it decided to stop beating, and I was in the middle of a golf swing on the third hole from what I was told,” Honingford explained.
Alridge quickly realized something was terribly wrong and immediately sprang into action.
“I saw a man that needed help, and I knew I had to do something,” Alridge recalled. Without hesitation, he began performing CPR, determined to keep Honingford alive.
“My main concern at that time was keeping a rhythm going in his heart to try to keep blood going to his brain because I knew then that he probably had a heart attack, and there could be some brain damage if I didn’t do what I was doing,” said Alridge, who continued administering CPR for 15 minutes until paramedics arrived.
Honingford was rushed to the hospital, but for Alridge, the days that followed were filled with worry and sleepless nights. “I just wanted to make sure he was okay,” Alridge shared. “I kept wondering if I had done everything right.”
Fortunately, Honingford recovered and was well enough to welcome visitors. During their reunion, Honingford struggled to find words to express his gratitude.
“I don’t think words can express how grateful one could be that they literally saved your life. There is no greater calling, there is no greater thing that you can do for a human being,” Honingford said.
Alridge, who was trained in CPR 50 years ago, had never had to use those skills until that fateful day. “For some reason, it all just came back to me. I just reacted,” he said.
Now, Honingford is back on the golf course, fully aware that he has been given a second chance.
“I do fully understand that I’ve been given a new lease on life,” Honingford said, reflecting on the event that could have ended very differently had it not been for Alridge’s quick response and selfless actions.