Charleston, SC -- A college student collapses on a sidewalk in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. The street wasn't busy and he was lucky to be found at all. You won't believe just how lucky he was, until you hear who found him.
Justin Repshas is a healthy 22 year old college student majoring in Exercise Science; he takes physical fitness seriously.
"I've played sports all my life, soccer, compete in the bridge and that kind of thing," Repshas said.
But one Wednesday afternoon on his daily run, something went wrong.
Repshas said, "I just collapsed. Then i woke up in the hospital."
But what happened before he woke up in that hospital bed was a miracle.
Meg Skeele was out with friends when she drove past Repshas lying on the ground at the corner of Chapel and East Bay streets.
A nursing student, Skeele took action and began CPR.
Skeele told CBS News, "It was crazy how it all kicked into gear naturally. I surprised myself. I didn't know i had that in me."
And then something even more amazing happened. A Cardiologist saw the commotion and jumped in to help.
But Dr. Michael Bernard credits Skeele with saving Repshas's life.
"She was doing all the right things. Not only that but she was doing it in a timely manner," Bernard said.
Turns out, Repshas has Non-Compaction Syndrome; a rare condition he'd never even heard of.
He now sports this scar from a device that will protect him from irregular heart rhythms, and Skeele sports a necklace, a gift from Repshas and his family for saving his life.
Repshas, Skeele, and Bernard all want to stress the importance of learning CPR. It only takes an afternoon to become certified.
Repshas said his condition won't allow him to be as active as he once was, but he says he's feeling great since he's been out of the hospital.
If you'd like to learn how to perform CPR, contact the Red Cross on their website.
CBS News