It wasn’t just knowing the proper technique that allowed Tyron Hardowar to perform lifesaving CPR on his younger brother, Jayden.
It was something else he learned in Scouting, too.
“It takes courage and the 10th point of the Scout Law: being brave,” Tyron tells Bryan on Scouting. “If there’s any emotions and thoughts building up, you need to push it aside.”
On April 29, Jayden called out weakly from his room. When his family rushed in, they found Jayden struggling to breathe and turning blue.
While his dad called an ambulance, Tyron began performing CPR. The 15-year-old followed the procedure he’d learned — and practiced — while earning the First Aid merit badge as a Scout in Troop 177 of Richmond Hill, N.Y., part of the Greater New York Councils.
“It was hard to think,” Tyron says. “It felt like I was in a dream. Eventually, I told myself I have put these emotions and thoughts to the side and help my brother.”
The Life Scout started to perform CPR, fighting for his 8-year-old brother’s life until emergency responders arrived and took over.
Jayden was hospitalized and later diagnosed with a mysterious disease called Pediatric Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome, which doctors believe is related to COVID-19.
He was released two weeks later and is now recovering at home. On May 15, Jayden, a Cub Scout, received a celebratory drive-by parade where fellow Scouts and even members of the NYPD showed up to welcome him home.
Making national headlines
Our Unsung Heroes series celebrates those Scouts whose everyday heroism doesn’t make the news. Tyron’s actions are undoubtedly heroic, but they aren’t unsung.
On May 14, Tyron and his dad, Roup, were interviewed by CNN’s Anderson Cooper. Scouting is mentioned several times in the six-minute segment, which you can watch at the end of this post.
“Tyron, you’re 15 years old, you’re a Boy Scout, clearly — the uniform looks great,” Cooper says. “It’s so amazing what you did. Where did you learn CPR?”
“I learned CPR through Scouting,” Tyron says. “Every Scout needs to learn CPR.”
Tyron later admits he was nervous when faced with the sudden need to act.
“But I told myself I need to put [those thoughts] aside and focus,” he says. “I’m very happy that I made an impact on his life.”
Cooper ends the interview by saying what so many of us are thinking.
“Tyron, thank you so much; it’s so impressive,” Cooper says. “To learn something through Boy Scouts and to be able to actually help save a life, it just doesn’t get any better than that.”
CPR: What you need to know
For more about CPR, please read this BSA Safety Moment.
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