Written by Rebecca Marshall, Cascades Red Cross Communications Director.

A hero is someone who shows exceptional bravery, skill, and dedication to saving lives during emergency situations. These students did just that and that’s why they are receiving this prestigious award that’s been given to only 3,000 people worldwide in the past six years.

Mimi Swetish, Sophia Espinosa, and Robert Shidek are all part of a wilderness first aid program offered at Western Oregon University* in Monmouth which is about 15 miles southwest of Salem.  Zach Hemmerle is their instructor and Assistant Director of Campus Recreation. 

In April of 2023, all four traveled to Smith Rock in central Oregon for a weekend of wilderness first aid training so they could obtain their climbing instructor certification.  What they did not know is that they were about to put their skills to the test in a real-life situation.

They arrived at Smith Rock on Friday after the 3-and-a-half-hour road trip.  They set up camp and decided to do some practice climbs (laps) to loosen up and be ready for the weekend of training. 

Mimi and Sophia were waiting to do their climb. Robert was still sport climbing with the assistance of their instructor Zach who was on belay. That’s when everything changed.

Sophia says, “We heard a loud thump and scream, and I didn’t quite know what to think.” She and Mimi walked around a large rock and saw what had happened. “I was a little bit anxious and a little bit curious when we walked over to the boy. His grandfather was there and distressed, asking for help.  We could tell that something was very wrong and that the boy had fallen from the top of the cliff which was about 40 feet.  He was wearing a helmet which is probably what saved his life.”

Sophia and Mimi grabbed their first aid packs and began to check the boy’s vital signs.  They helped stabilize him, concerned he may have a spinal injury. They also knew that shock was likely to set in at any moment. 

Mimi says she, too, was anxious about stepping in but she focused on the task at hand.  “It was definitely overwhelming, but I don’t think there was a bone in my body that was like ‘I’m gonna walk away.’ I just knew I had some sort of knowledge, and I would do what I could do,” she says. 

At this time, Zach and Robert had descended from their climb and went over to help.  Zach took over a 9-1-1 call a witness had initiated and was able to relay the information gathered by the students.  An EMT was also climbing in the area that day and was able to come over and help. 

Robert also assisted, “We kept a note of vital signs so the medical people could have the information they needed when they loaded the kid into the helicopter.”  Robert was also able to help grab a stretcher (litter) to prepare for the rescue. 

The young boy, Cohen Schaumann suffered multiple injuries that day including a broken pelvis, wrist, ankle, ribs, collapsed lungs, lacerated liver and kidney. He has a long road to recovery ahead but according to articles written about him and a Go Fund Me account in his name, he is progressing well. 

Cohen’s father, Brandon Schaumann told Climbing Magazine: “I can’t express enough my gratitude for all the climbers and first responders that got my son to a medical evacuation point.They are a crucial reason why my son is alive today!” 

The Red Cross Cascades Region* awarded these courageous students with the Certificate of Merit Award on the campus of Western Oregon University as their families proudly looked on.  It’s been over a year since this event happened, but the memory is still fresh.   

Instructor Zach Hammerle says he had never seen anything like this in his 25 years of climbing and will always remember just how calm and focused the students were. 

Mimi says she was surprised by what she was capable of that day, “You don’t know what you know, from our CPR courses to first aid. Typical college fashion, you pay attention, but do you remember 5 weeks later? I can positively say I did and even more so.”

Sophia agrees, “Having those direct set of steps that the Red Cross lays out for us really helped.” 

All three of them knew that the boy’s injuries were more than they could handle that day, but they were able to stabilize him and keep him alive until rescuers could get there. 

They strongly encourage people learn the basic life safety and first aid skills.  Whether you get it from a Red Cross training class, or look up information online, every bit of information can help. In this case, it saved an 11-year-old boy’s life. 

Learn more bout how to sign up for Red Cross training HERE. 

If you know someone who you’d like to nominate for a Red Cross Lifesaving award, click HERE.

*About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. 

*About the American Red Cross Cascades Region: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.