SIMI VALLEY : 2 Cited for Saving Heart Attack Victim

When Edward Weiss collapsed after suffering a heart attack at a bowling alley in Simi Valley on May 14, Sharon Solem and Steve Huseby did not hesitate.

The pair administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the 59-year-old man until paramedics arrived. Afterward, doctors credited Solem and Huseby with saving Weiss’ life.

On Tuesday, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved resolutions commending Solem, a registered nurse from Sun Valley, and Huseby, a shipping supervisor from Simi Valley, for their act of heroism.

On hand at the presentation was Edward Weiss’ son, Bill, who said his father is recovering from double bypass surgery that followed the heart attack.

Solem and Huseby said they were at the Harley Bowl in Simi Valley when Weiss, who was in the same bowling league as the two, suddenly collapsed.

Solem said she decided to try CPR when she was unable to find Weiss’ pulse. Huseby, who had learned CPR when he worked as an orderly 18 years ago, came to her side and began to ventilate Weiss, an electronics technician who lives in Thousand Oaks, while Solem began chest compressions.

“It was something you don’t stop and debate,” Solem said. “You just do it.”

Huseby said he was a little frightened at first because he had not practiced CPR in 18 years. “It was scary,” he said. “But then it was like 18 years came right back to me.”

Bill Weiss said that doctors said the elder Weiss had, in essence, died on the bowling alley floor and was brought back to life.

“The doctor used the word miracle five times,” Bill Weiss said.