Woman Dead for 4 Minutes, Revived by CWA AT&T Worker

Last week, Kevin Tenkhoff, a 19-year AT&T Customer Service Technician and member of CWA Local 6316, shared details of an incredible moment that took place in October 2023. Kevin arrived hours early at the residence of Helen Parli, who considered asking him to come back at the scheduled time but decided to allow him to get to work. CWA Local 6316 is located in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

A few minutes into the job, Kevin heard yelling. He raced uphill to the front yard and found Helen unresponsive on the ground and her husband, Ryan, performing chest compressions. Kevin, who had received CPR training through AT&T, took over the chest compressions while Ryan called for emergency services.

Helen learned later that she had been technically dead for nearly 4 minutes and that Tenkoff’s assistance had kept her brain oxygenated, likely saving her life. From an interview at People.com Helen is quoted saying, “You were put where you were at the time you were there. And I feel like it was a godsend. You're kind of like my guardian angel. That's the way I'm going to feel about you for the rest of my life.”

Tenkhoff also spoke of the incident, saying, “There are no words to describe it whatsoever. It was great seeing how appreciative they were.” He received the Bronze Vail Award from AT&T for his heroism.