CPR – or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation – is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating.

Dispatcher in Holbrook instructs frantic 911 caller how to administer CPR on 4-year-old who had stopped breathing Authorities are commending a Holbrook emergency dispatcher who guided a frantic 911 caller through the CPR process, calmly providing instructions that helped a 4-year-old girl in East Bridgewater start breathing again.  The emergency was reported to the Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, the center and East Bridgewater officials said in a statement Wednesday.  The child had stopped breathing at a home on West Street, so the family called 911.  A dispatcher at the Holbrook center, Sophia Zervos, took the call and provided crucial information to help save the child’s life, officials said.  “I want you to put the heel of your hand in the center of their chest, right between the nipples, and you’re going to push down hard and fast, two inches in depth,” Zervos told the caller, according to the statement. “OK? We’re going to start now. I’m going to count with you.”  “Ready? Go. One, two, three, four, five, six,” Zervos counted as the girl’s family followed her instructions.    “You’re doing a great job,” Zervos told the caller. “Everyone’s already on the way. How’s she doing? Is she breathing?”  A relative said no.  “Take a second,” Zervos said. “Stop compressions and see if her chest is rising and falling. OK?”  Following two rounds of compressions, the girl’s family noticed her stomach moving, officials said. The child then threw up and started breathing again.  Zervos told the caller to turn the girl on her side so she wouldn’t choke and assured the family that help was on the way, officials said.  The family confirmed the girl was awake and breathing on her own.  “I want you to watch her breathing for me,” Zervos told the caller. “I want you to make sure she’s getting some good deep breaths and she’s breathing on her own.” Zervos then heard the sound of approaching sirens, signaling that help had arrived, officials said.  The child’s family has since reported that she’s recovering at an area hospital, officials said.  You can listen to audio of the 911 call here.  “Sophia Zervos handled this call with absolute professionalism and integrity,” said Steve Hooke, who directs the dispatch center. “While every call is handled by a true team of emergency professionals, this particular incident exemplifies our daily mission.”  East Bridgewater’s fire chief, John Dzialo, said the dispatcher’s “clear and thoughtful instructions bought this child a few extra, vital minutes of oxygen.  “When we arrived, the child needed medical attention, but she was breathing on her own,” she said. “Dispatcher Zervos helped these parents save their child’s life.”  Michael Jenkins, the police chief in East Bridgewater, said Zervos “was there for this family.”  “She gave them step-by-step directions on how to save their child’s life,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll never forget this call and the calm, reassuring voice at the other end. I know I’ll never forget it.”  Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com.