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UA Local 597 member uses CPR training to save a life
On July 20, 2023, Chris Ingram, a 13-year member of Pipefitters Local 597, was on the United Piping, Inc. Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) pipeline project in Valparaiso, Ind., when a local laborer fell unconscious.
Ingram immediately jumped in and started performing CPR until the paramedics arrived, ultimately saving the man’s life. He explained what happened that day.
“I’m the Welder Foreman over the stations, so I see all four stations throughout the day,” he said. “We were setting up a crane in front of the station and me and a couple of helpers were getting the crane mats set up. There’s a crew of laborers and operators on site, too, and I looked back to see where my guys were, and I noticed they were huddling around. I didn’t know what was going on, and one of my welders called me and said, ‘Hey, there’s a guy down over here.’”
Ingram quickly ran over and saw that it was a gentleman who had only been working with his crew for about two days, so no one really knew him. The man was out cold on the ground and wasn’t breathing.