Off-Duty Michigan Trooper Saves Skier's Life With CPR

A day on the slopes turned into a life-saving moment when Michigan State Police Sergeant Dennis Wagner spotted a fellow skier in distress at Nub's Nob Ski Resort.

Wagner was enjoying some cross-country skiing when he noticed a man collapsed on the ground. Without hesitation, he rushed over to help.

Working alongside a ski patroller, Wagner rolled the unconscious skier over to open his airway and immediately began chest compressions. Within minutes, Nub's Nob Ski Patrol arrived with an Automated External Defibrillator.

The combination of CPR and the AED brought the skier back. He regained his pulse and started breathing again.

The St. Ignace Post honored Wagner for his heroic actions while off duty. Medical experts say the quick response was crucial to the victim's survival.

The injured skier is now expected to make a full recovery, a testament to what can happen when trained individuals step up in critical moments.

Sunny's Take

This story reminds us that heroes don't clock out. Wagner could have been just another skier enjoying Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula slopes, but his training and willingness to act made all the difference.

It's also a powerful reminder about the importance of CPR training and having AEDs available in public spaces. Nub's Nob Ski Resort's preparedness, combined with Wagner's quick action, created the perfect conditions for saving a life.

Stories like this highlight the everyday courage of first responders, both on and off duty. They're woven into our communities, ready to help when seconds matter most.

One family will celebrate many more holidays together because a trooper chose to act when it counted most.