Last week, the Clear Lake Fire Dept. presented 11-year-old A. J. Riservato with a Citizens Lifesaving Award, hailing him a hero for helping save his neighbor’s life Dec. 3.
That morning was cold; the temperature stayed below zero the entire day. Riservato and his family had just moved to Minnesota from Florida and were staying at his grandparents’ place on Rush Lake.
Shortly after 7 a.m. Riservato headed outside to start his mom’s car, which he did every morning.
“I heard a snorey, gargly sound,” said Riservato. “I looked around but couldn’t see anything so I started up the car. When I headed back to the house I looked over and saw someone laying on the sidewalk.”
That person was 89-year-old Henry “Hank” Koren, who lived next door.
“I ran into the house and told mom, ‘Come quick, there’s someone on the ground. I think it’s Hank,’” said Riservato.
He grabbed blankets while his grandfather, Paul Bearden, called 911, who told him to start chest compressions.
“The morning it happened I was in my home office,” said Bearden. “A.J. came in and said there’s a man on the sidewalk. I ran outside, he showed me Hank and I called 911. I’d had CPR training but never had to use it before; the dispatcher got me on point.”
First on the scene was Clear Lake Fire Dept. Asst. Chief Barry Schuldt, followed by Clear Lake Fire Dept. Lt. Ryan Peterson, Sherburne Co. deputies and more firefighters. As Koren had a heartbeat they discontinued chest compressions, but put blankets and hot packs around him.
His core temperature was below 76 degrees. He was so cold they couldn’t unclench his arms to get a blood pressure.
Gold Cross Ambulance arrived and transported Koren to the St. Cloud Hospital. There his doctor told his family if he’d been outside any longer he wouldn’t have made it.
After the ambulance left Riservato got on the school bus and went to school just like any other day.
To Riservato’s mom, Jessie, it feels like things have come full circle. His older brother died of a heart aneurysm as an infant, and the first responders who came had such a powerful impact on them that his dad went to school to become a paramedic.
That training helped his dad save his life when Riservato himself cardiac arrested at home when he was just 22 days old.
“It was heartwarming,” said Jessie Riservato. “A. J. asked if it [Hank’s rescue] was that way when he was saved.”
“The lesson we learned that day was to be conscious,” she continued. “The way Hank was laying he wouldn’t have been seen.”
“I give A.J. all the credit,” said Bearden. “It was a blessing to Hank that he was there. If A.J. hadn’t had the presence of mind to get somebody I wouldn’t have seen him until it was too late.”
Koren doesn’t remember anything past walking outside that morning. He spent 16 days in the hospital and is currently in a nursing home for rehab. He is expected to make a full physical recovery.
Riservato and his family recently moved to Becker, where he and his sister, Giulia, attend school. Riservato is a fifth-grader.
Clear Lake firefighters and members of Koren’s family attended Riservato’s award ceremony, including Clear Lake Fire Chief Ron Koren; Hank is his father. He presented Riservato with the award along with a Clear Lake Fire Dept. cap and sweatshirt.
“It’s having faith in the younger generation to do the right thing,” he said.
“I’ve always known A. J. was special,” said Jessie Riservato. “His heart is so big. I’m incredibly proud he was aware enough to look around.”
“I was just happy to hear Hank was okay,” said Riservato. “I’m glad that I helped someone.”
