Youngest Recipient of Sheriff's Office Lifesaving Award Honored Wednesday

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office presented Megan R. Ringel, 16, of Wauconda, with a Citizen's Lifesaving Award, during a presentation Wednesday afternoon. 

The Citizen’s Lifesaving Award is the highest honor a citizen can receive from the Sheriff’s Office. She is the youngest recipient of the sheriff's office award. 

The award stems from the action Megan took on Aug. 16 around 9:20 p.m when she was visiting a friend in the 5000 block of Wildwood Drive in McHenry. 

When she arrived, she heard people yelling for help. Megan ran over to find a 34 year old man, who has a history of seizures, not breathing. Megan sprang into action and began performing CPR.

Megan has previously been trained in CPR in Girl Scouts and in the township’s babysitting class. Most recently, Megan also participated in CPR training in her health class at Wauconda High School. 

Using her training, she gave the victim chest compressions, then repositioned the victim’s head to open the airway, and gave three rescue breaths. The victim then began what appeared to be choking. Rescue personnel arrived and transported the victim for medical treatment.

Because of Megan’s quick thinking and life saving actions, the victim survived.