Fit, Experienced and 25 Miles Into a Ride: How CPR Saved an Oregon Cyclist

David Guettler rides a lot. He owns a bike shop. He was about 25 miles into a long ride through the Columbia River Gorge with his wife, Tia, when his heart stopped.

KPTV FOX 12 Oregon told the story on March 26, 2026. His bike left the road and he ended up unresponsive in a pasture. Tia started chest compressions and kept going until emergency crews arrived. He was taken to Legacy Emanuel in Portland, recovered, and was back at work at the shop within four months.

Two things stand out.

Fitness is not protection. Cardiac arrest happens to people who look perfectly healthy, which is why it catches families and coworkers off guard.

The rescuer is usually someone close. According to the American Heart Association, most cardiac arrests outside a hospital happen at home. The person in a position to help is far more likely to be a spouse, a friend or a coworker than a stranger. The KPTV report cites research showing that when CPR starts within two minutes, the odds of surviving to leave the hospital are 81 percent higher than with no CPR at all.

David and Tia now host CPR training at their shop, River City Bicycles.

The takeaway

The skill you learn in a workplace class goes home with you. A few hours in a class is a small price for being the person who knows what to do.

Full Code CPR teaches American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED and BLS on-site for teams across the Portland metro area. Request a group quote and we will email your pricing.

Source: KPTV FOX 12 Oregon, “Oregon cyclist’s cardiac arrest survival story highlights importance of CPR training,” March 26, 2026.