He Took Her To Girl Scouts, She Learned CPR. Days Later, She Used It To Save His Life

February 15, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Virginia Beach, Virginia.

When 11-year-old Vada Carawan from Virginia Beach attended a Girl Scouts meeting less than two weeks ago, she never imagined the CPR training she received would soon save her father’s life.

girl scout saves Dad CPR
Vada and Clinton / Credit: WTKR

On a seemingly ordinary day, Vada’s father, Clinton Carawan, suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest. Without hesitation, Vada sprang into action, immediately calling 911.

"I told (the dispatcher) that my dad fell back. He's trying to gasp for air," she recalled.

With incredible composure, the young Girl Scout began performing chest compressions, a crucial life-saving measure that kept her father alive until emergency responders arrived.

Thanks to her quick thinking and the skills she had learned just 11 days earlier, Clinton made a full recovery. The grateful father was overwhelmed with emotion as he reflected on his daughter’s heroic actions.

"I tear up thinking about it every time. It's amazing. I just, I can't believe it, to be honest with you," he said.

Meet Vada in the video below.