Polk State EMT grad’s long journey culminates in life-saving moment
“It’s a healthy baby boy” is what new parents hope to hear, and a reality often taken for granted. In the case of 3-month-old Dominick O’Connell, that is the case because of Polk State College Emergency Medical Technology Certificate graduate Gustavo Mora.
A trainee, Mora was working a field rotation with Polk County Fire Rescue in the early-morning hours of July 17. Mora and EMTs responded to a call for a complex childbirth in unincorporated Haines City.
“I remember seeing a woman on her side,” Mora recalled. “The umbilical cord was completely prolapsed. When the cord is prolapsed, the oxygen to the baby is completely cut off.”
That woman was Krystal O’Connell. She and her husband Alex were expecting their second child. The couple was on their way out the door and to the hospital when Krystal’s water broke and the prolapsed cord became visible.
“My husband and I were fully expecting to have our baby in the hospital,” O’Connell explained. “We had come home a couple of times from the hospital because I thought I was in labor when I wasn’t; that’s why we decided to wait until the last minute.”
As paramedics arrived, Mora took control of the situation. He directed O’Connell to push and delivered the child.
“It was not even 10 minutes after calling 911 that the baby was out,” O’Connell reflected. “I felt relief, but I saw the look on my husband’s face, and I knew something was wrong.”
“The baby was not breathing and was completely purple,” Mora added. “His heart rate was absent, and we immediately started doing CPR.”
According to studies, the chances of death in cases of umbilical prolapse are less than 10% but outside of the hospital, that increases to more than 40%. After six or seven minutes of CPR, the baby started breathing.
“After CPR, we took him to the ambulance and his heart rate was 155 – which is really good,” Mora said. “We were able to avoid intubation. We started ventilating with a (Bag-Valve-Mask). The baby began moving and reacting.”
Pursuing the American dream
While Mora’s life-saving initiative came as a Polk State student, he’s no stranger to being a first responder. He previously worked for 15 years as a paramedic and firefighter in his native Costa Rica.
“Coming from an undeveloped country, we have a lot of high-risk pregnancies,” Mora explained. “People don’t have the prenatal care they do in the U.S. I was in the same situation in Costa Rica multiple times with no success.”
In 2017, Mora moved to the U.S. with his wife and two children. Unfortunately for him, there was no reciprocity for someone with his experience abroad. A 2005 graduate of the University of Costa Rica, Mora was forced to begin his schooling from scratch if he were to work again as a first responder.
Upon his arrival, Mora initially began working in construction. As he waited to become a citizen, Mora started his own construction company, Pro Constructions and Painting. Mora did well financially, but construction just wasn’t where his passion lied.
“It was a big change from Costa Rica,” Mora recalled. “The first few years were a nightmare. Every time I saw an ambulance or heard a fire truck, I felt like I should have been there. As I waited for my immigration papers, I cried. I could make more money in construction, but it’s not what I love. You can have success but if you’re not happy with what you’re doing, it doesn’t matter.”
After becoming a citizen, Mora earned his general education degree (GED) and enrolled in the Polk State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program in 2022. Mora was impressed by how professional the program was.
“I had to start from scratch, but I’m happy that I did,” Mora explained. “Polk State is the best program in Florida. We have a 98% first-time pass rate on our (licensure) exam. You can really see the quality of the paramedics that come through this program. It’s a great program with great instructors. I highly recommend Polk.”
A 2024 graduate of the EMT Program, Mora is currently pursuing his Polk State Associate in Science degree in EMS. Mora began his tenure with Polk County Fire Rescue in May. He hopes to one day work as an administrator in the field.
“In Costa Rica, we lack equipment and resources,” Mora noted. “That’s something people take for granted here. I’m so appreciative of this opportunity. My goal here is to be successful and to be a leader.”
Families become friends
When Mora arrived in the U.S., it was just he, his wife and two children, but his circle of support has since grown – thanks in part to what transpired in the early-morning hours in mid-July. After O’Connell and her newborn were transported to the hospital, Mora continued to monitor their status.
“He went into the situation solely focused that my baby was taken care of,” O’Connell recalled. “He was professional and calm under pressure. In a job like that, you have to be. He takes care of people as if they’re members of his family. After the baby was born, he called the hospital to check on us. Gustavo really cared and wanted the best outcome for Dominick.”
When Mora came to visit the child in the hospital, he was welcomed with open arms. Mora and the O’Connell family have remained in touch. They often share baby photos with him. Mora recently attended Dominick’s older sister Anastasia’s fourth birthday party.
“I’ve been at this for a long time, but this was my first delivery in America,” Mora added. “This baby has brought so much joy to their family. It’s like I’m part of their family.”
Mora was officially pinned as a member of Polk County Fire Rescue in September at Polk State’s Center for Public Safety. On hand watching the pinning ceremony and offering their congratulations were Alex and Krystal O’Connell. On Oct. 7, Mora was recognized for his life-saving efforts at the Polk County Board of County Commissioners meeting.
“Having them attend my pinning ceremony was really special,” Mora concluded. “Working as a paramedic and being able to help people is part of what gives my life meaning.”