Oahu mechanic lives to share his story after heart stops for 12 minutes

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii News Now recognizes October as Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month with an incredible story of second chances.
An Oahu mechanic literally dropped dead at work yet lived to share his story — and it was all caught on camera.
Wayson Hieda’s happy place is his son Sheldon’s auto shop on Kapahulu Avenue.
March 18, 2023, was just a regular Saturday with Wayson’s friends — Al Potts and Tyler “TJ” Fessenden hanging out while Sheldon worked on a car.
No one knows why, but Hieda’s heart just stopped.
“Everything started getting blurry and I just blacked out,” he told us.
“I just seen the tires fall, and I seen my dad’s legs on the ground,” said Sheldon Hieda. “He had no pulse, nothing. He was turning purple already.” Surveillance video from that day shows Sheldon Hieda calling 911, and Al Potts administering CPR. They know time is critical.
“His eyes had rolled and his tongue; I still see that picture in my face. I’ll never forget,” said Potts.
Seconds go by. Then minutes. Hieda is dead, but Potts isn’t having it.
“He’s not dying on me. Akua took care,” Potts told us as he remembered that day. “I just kept pumping and pumping and pumping, but me and TJ, we worked hard. ‘Wayson, Wayson, Wayson, you’re not dying on me, you sucker.’”
After nearly five minutes with no pulse, firefighters arrived and took over chest compressions.
At nearly seven minutes they used an AED to shock Wayson’s heart. More firefighters arrived and took turns on his chest.
At 11 minutes, another shock made Wayson’s leg muscles contract. More CPR was administered.
Then 12 minutes after Wayson’s heart stopped, his heart started.
“It was an intense moment,” said Fessenden.
Paramedics arrived and got Wayson to a hospital, where he eventually woke up and was completely fine. He had no idea what had happened.
Then his son, Sheldon, showed him the security video. “He played it for me and, oh man, I just cried right through because I didn’t realize what was happening until I saw the video and woah,” Hieda said. “And all that panic that everybody was going through. Yeah, that really touched me.” “Blessing, man. I mean, I hope anybody that was in our shoes would have done the same,” Fessenden said. “People nowadays are afraid to do what we did because there’s liability in it; in case something goes wrong, it’s your fault. He’s a good friend. One of the good friends I have. I’m not giving up,” Potts said.
“I believe I did have a second chance. Like, yes, I did. I do feel that. And I thank God. First thing every morning I get up, I thank God,” Hieda said.
Wayson Hieda also thanked the first responders who saved him, including acting Capt. Ken Oishi, who took over for Al Potts and administered CPR that day.
In 23 years with the Honolulu Fire Department, Oishi said he’s done CPR hundreds of times and knows of just four or five people who’ve come back.
“For us to see something like that it’s a real big thing for firefighters,” said Oishi.
When it comes to CPR, Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Kama Ortiz told us just push hard and push fast.
And don’t hesitate.
“Don’t take pictures. Take action,” Ortiz said.
“Hopefully it educates people that CPR is really important,” added Hieda.
Wayson Hieda’s story could end with a neat, happy ending, but it doesn’t. Because there’s one more thing he needs: a kidney donor.
At age 65, he is living with stage 4 kidney failure.
“I’m hoping for another miracle,” he said. “I’m looking for another donor, a living donor, that would help me out. But it’s hard to ask people, right?”
A kidney transplant is a big ask, but being brought back to life is also a reminder that unexpectedly good things happen.
Hieda is choosing to spend his extended time here filled with hope and gratitude. “I’m really glad I had a second chance of life,” he said.
Read more about Wayson Hieda’s journey to find a kidney donor and how you may be able to help him.
Want to learn how to save a life? Request free CPR training with the Honolulu Fire Department.
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