Austin leader saves stranger’s life with CPR; builds company of lifesavers

AUSTIN, June 3, 2025  — When he noticed a stranger slumped in the driver’s seat of a parked car, Mark Johnston didn’t hesitate - he immediately used CPR to save his life. 

Eleven years ago, Johnston was leaving his workplace for the day when he noticed an awkwardly-positioned man sitting in a running car in the parking lot. After tapping on the glass and getting no response, Johnston opened the car door and checked for a pulse. There was none. Johnston pulled the man out of his car, laid him flat on the ground, and began performing CPR.  

Johnston called to bystanders outside of his workplace to grab the AED and continued to perform CPR by himself for minutes before another bystander brought the AED. Johnston hooked it up and the man’s heart restarted.  When the ambulance arrived, EMS told Johnston that the man would have died from a heart attack if he had not had the courage to step in. 

After several more heart attacks on the way to the hospital, the man survived. A month later, he introduced his family to Johnston.  

“His family, his little boy – they were all there and said, ‘Thank you for saving my dad’”, said Johnston. “Even today, I still think about that as my greatest accomplishment I’ve ever achieved in my life.” 

This experience profoundly changed Johnston’s life. Now in his position as Business Development Manager with ABC Home & Commercial Services, Johnston is spearheading a program to create a company of lifesavers. ABC’s Train the Trainer program will train staff leaders to be able to train their employees on Hands-Only CPR. The end goal is to get all 1,100 employees in the Austin area to be able to save a life.  

Johnston has also joined the Executive Leadership Team for this year’s Austin Heart Walk. Coming up on Nov. 16, 2026 at Waterloo Park, the Heart Walk encourages all Austinites to join the Nation of Lifesavers and learn how to save a life through Hands-Only CPR, which can double or triple someone’s chances of survival.  

Saving a life takes just two simple steps. First, call 9-1-1 if you see a person collapse, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a song that has at minimum 100 beats per minute, such as Hozier’s “Too Sweet” or the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive.” Learn more about Hands-Only CPR at heart.org/nation.  

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The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.         

For Media Inquiries 

Michael Vybiral: michael.vybiral@heart.org   

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) 

heart.org and stroke.org