Andi Traynor used CPR to save Max Montgomery's life.
She gave him the kiss of life — and ended up falling in love.
Max Montgomery posted an invite for people in New York City to train for a paddleboarding event with him, according to CBS News. Andi Traynor was among those who replied, and he was lucky she did.
During one of the sessions, Montgomery felt a tightness in his chest and collapsed.
"I kept saying, 'Just make it to the car, make it to the car,' and I said, 'I need to put the board down,' and I put the board down and then, boom, that was it," he said.
His heart had stopped, but thankfully Traynor had CPR training. She immediately began performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, keeping oxygen pumping to his brain for nearly 20 minutes while he didn't have a pulse.
"I thought he was dead," Traynor said.
Doctors said she saved his life.
"Luckily, I was with someone who knew CPR," Montgomery said. "Without it, I'm not here."
Now, the two are dating and together, they are raising awareness of the importance of learning CPR.
"Anything can happen at any time to anyone," Montgomery said. "We've helped start bringing these short five- to 10-minute lifesaving instructions to teach people how to give CPR, to call 911, how to get an AED device."
And who knows? Maybe a little lifesaving knowledge could lead to romance.
"That first kiss being CPR was obviously very magical because here I am and I'm very grateful that I'm able to experience further kisses," he said.
"It doesn't seem awkward or anything that was our first kiss," Traynor added.
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