Brian Anaka explains what happened during his heart attack as his son, Taylor, sits with him Monday at their home Monday. Brian likely was saved by CPR performed by Taylor. “There is no doubt in my mind that (Taylor) doing CPR helped save his dad,” paramedic Travis Jacobs said.

Brian Anaka explains what happened during his heart attack as his son, Taylor, sits with him Monday at their home Monday. Brian likely was saved by CPR performed by Taylor. “There is no doubt in my mind that (Taylor) doing CPR helped save his dad,” paramedic Travis Jacobs said.

12-year-old helped save his dad’s life when he had a heart attack

MONROE — The Anaka family was in the middle of a stressful move.

On Feb. 7, Brian Anaka decided to make one more trip to the old house on Woods Creek Road. Taylor, his 12-year-old son, insisted on coming along.

Taylor brought his cellphone. He didn’t know he’d need it to save his dad’s life.

Brian and Lisa Anaka have been married 14 years this August. He works in remodeling and she stays at home, raising Taylor and his little brother, 8-year-old Jack.

Taylor’s parents say he’s always been thoughtful, the rare child who thinks before he acts. Jack is a little more, say, energetic.

At 2:17 p.m. Feb. 7, Brian Anaka had a heart attack.

He and Taylor had just loaded a rosewood entertainment center into the U-Haul. Taylor saw his dad grab his chest and fall. Taylor thought about his dad, who tells his boys to “Just stay calm always and not to freak out, or else I won’t be able to do anything,” he said. “It was really scary to see my dad collapse like that. I’ve never felt that scared in my life.”

Taylor remembered his phone in the pocket of his sweatpants. He called 911.

The call was answered by Theresa Ramey, a dispatcher at SNOPAC 911 for nearly 18 years. Taylor told Ramey, “My Dad’s passed out. He’s breathing really heavy. He’s on the ground … we were lifting something and he passed out … Can you please hurry?”

His dad had stopped breathing. Ramey knew Taylor needed to start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also known as CPR.

She told Taylor where to put his hands on his father’s chest, to push as hard as he could and to count loudly, so she could hear.

“Stay strong for your dad right now,” she told him. “Keep it together right now. You can cry later. There you go. Keep going. You keep it together for your dad.”

About five minutes after Taylor called 911, Monroe paramedic Corey Wenzel arrived and took over CPR. As paramedic Travis Jacobs was setting up the breathing tube, the patient’s pulse came back. He breathed.

In 14 years as a medic, Jacobs has seen what he calls “bystander CPR” save at least four lives.

“There is no doubt in my mind that (Taylor) doing CPR helped save his dad,” he said.

Later, Brian Anaka was told that every minute without CPR after a heart attack diminishes the chance of survival. “If (Taylor) didn’t do that, I wouldn’t be here,” he said.

Brian Anaka woke up from a medically induced coma days later. Lisa was there. She asked him, “Am I a friend or your wife?”

“When I told her, ‘You’re my wife,’ she bawled and bawled,” he said.

Brian Anaka spent about a week in the hospital. After he came back home, Lisa Anaka would hover her hand over his mouth at night, to make sure she could feel his breath. Sometimes she woke up and he was awake, too. She knew what he was thinking then. Each time, she reminded him that he survived.

Brian Anaka’s heart is fine now, he was told. His chest is still sore. He’s not sure when he’ll be back at work.

The timing of the attack seems extra cruel. Feb. 7 was the day before his 45th birthday. Last summer and fall, Brian and Taylor had a goal to work out and eat healthier. Together, they lost 90 pounds.

Every day gets a little better, but it’s hard to stay still and rest, he said. It’s strange now, to remember everything he used to worry about: the move, the bills, the car. The Anakas feel so thankful for family and God, friends and prayers. They are thankful to be watching “Shrek” and sharing cheesecake.

The family thanked Ramey in person last week, after listening to a 911 recording of Taylor’s call. The dispatcher was surprised that Taylor was 12. She had assumed he was in high school. She talked to him like she would her own kids.

On Monday, Taylor was honored at an assembly at Hidden River Middle School, where his favorite subject is math. He was given two certificates and a commemorative coin, and a video was played for his classmates about CPR.

Taylor is quiet at school, and always smiling, said Principal Brett Wille, whose support over the past month has made the Anakas consider him a friend.

“He’s got a really good head on his shoulders,” Wille said of the boy. “It didn’t surprise me at all that he kept his composure in that situation.”

The Anakas hope to celebrate Brian’s survival in Las Vegas later this year. It’s a place he and Lisa have enjoyed visiting, and the boys are eager to go. They’ve heard about Dad’s favorite buffet.

Every summer, the family looks forward to night swimming at Lake Tye. Jack recently achieved a tailwhip trick on his scooter on flat ground, which “is a lot more harder,” he said. At first, Jack worried his father would come home different, that he wouldn’t be so funny and silly anymore.

Brian Anaka’s the same, though his heart hurts. According to Taylor, he’s still “a really cool dad.”

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen goes through an informational slideshow about the current budget situation in Edmonds during a roundtable event at the Edmonds Waterfront Center on Monday, April 7, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor recommends $19M levy lid lift for November

The city’s biennial budget assumed a $6 million levy lid lift. The final levy amount is up to the City Council.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

A firefighting helicopter carries a bucket of water from a nearby river to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Snohomish County property owners can prepare for wildfire season

Clean your roofs, gutters and flammable material while completing a 5-foot-buffer around your house.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

The age of bridge 503 that spans Swamp Creek can be seen in its timber supports and metal pipes on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. The bridge is set to be replaced by the county in 2025. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County report: 10 bridges set for repairs, replacement

An annual report the county released May 22 details the condition of local bridges and future maintenance they may require.

The Edmonds City Council gathers to discuss annexing into South County Fire on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Community group presents vision for Edmonds’ fiscal future

Members from Keep Edmonds Vibrant suggested the council focus on revenue generation and a levy lid lift to address its budget crisis.

x
Edmonds seeks applicants for planning board alternate

The member would attend and participate in meetings and vote when another member is absent. Applications close June 25.

People walk during low tide at Picnic Point Park on Sunday, March 3, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Beach cleanup planned for Picnic Point in Edmonds

Snohomish Marine Resources Committee and Washington State University Beach Watchers host volunteer event at Picnic Point.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Stanwood in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Stanwood man accused of crashing into 2 vehicles, injuring federal agents

Victor Vivanco-Reyes appeared in federal court Monday on two counts of assaulting a federal agent with a deadly weapon.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Bar manager Faith Britton pours a beer for a customer at the Madison Avenue Pub in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Burgers, brews and blues: Madison Avenue Pub has it all

Enjoy half-price burgers on Tuesday, prime rib specials and live music at the Everett mainstay.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.