“The key to success in this story was that there was not a single link broken in the chain,” said Scott Wilkinson, chief of the Bulverde/Spring Branch EMS.

The “Chain of Survival” refers to the many people and departments that were involved from the time the accident occurred.

“That life-saving chain is very important,” said Julie Wiley, media advisor for University Hospital in San Antonio. “We can all share in the celebration of success when everything is done as designed,” she added.

Deuter began CPR and then was relieved by his neighbor, an off-duty police officer (the second link in the chain).

Deuter was then able to call 911 and continue to speak with the operator until addition help could arrive. First to arrive were the Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department (The third link). They arrived on the scene within nine minutes to assume the role of CPR.

The Bulverde/Spring Branch EMS paramedics (The fourth link) arrived four minutes later to begin Advanced Life Support intervention. San Antonio Airlife (The fifth link) landed 12 minutes later to provide ICU level care and rapid transport to a trauma center.

Mia was flown to University Hospital, where she spent three weeks with the Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Team’s Intensive Care Unit (The sixth link). “It is so important that we work as a team to do what we are trained,” Wiley said.

All of the organizations in the chain that saved Mia Deuter are crucial to saving lives on a daily basis.

“We are all underpaid and understaffed, but together form a complete team,” Wilkinson said.

The Deuter family, Bulverde/Spring Branch EMS, Bulverde VFD, and representatives from University Hospital were all present at the celebration. San Antonio Airlife made a dramatic entrance when the helicopter landed around 10:30 a.m. Everyone in attendance shared a common message. They want to stress the importance for everyone to learn CPR, especially parents and caregivers. “If you start it, we can finish it,” explained Wilkinson. This was the first step to saving Mia’s life and one of the major reasons that she has no long-term complications.