Sgt. Dennis Wagner

HARBOR SPRINGS — A Michigan State Police officer based in the Upper Peninsula is being credited with helping save a life while cross-country skiing at a downstate resort.

The Michigan State Police from the St. Ignace post have recognized Sgt. Dennis Wagner for what happened while he was recreating off duty at Nub’s Nob Ski Resort near Harbor Springs.

According to an MSP press release, while cross-country skiing Jan. 3, Wagner, who has been an MSP first aid instructor for many years, assisting fellow department members keep their lifesaving skills sharp through regular training, noticed a skier had collapsed on the trail. He quickly went to help and assisted Nub’s Nob cross-country ski patroller Steve Biggs, who had already begun administering care. Several other skiers also had stopped and helped as needed.

Wagner assisted by rolling the subject over, positioning his head uphill, opening the airway and initiating chest compressions. Life-saving efforts continued and Nub’s Nob Ski Patrol arrived a short time later with an Automated External Defibrillator, oxygen, a snowmobile and a toboggan.

The AED was deployed and advised two shocks, which were administered while CPR continued. Oxygen was delivered using a bag-valve mask. Wagner assisted ski patrol in safely transferring the subject into the toboggan for transport down the trail.

Upon safe arrival at the ski patrol room, Emmet County EMS took over care. The subject had regained a pulse and was breathing. He was transported to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital, where he received further emergency treatment. Medical staff later confirmed that early CPR and the use of the AED were critical in saving his life.

MSP has received confirmation that the skier, Kevin Livingston, is now awake, doing well, and is expected to make a full recovery.