3-year-old alive today because aunt performed poolside CPR

3-year-old Hudson Trecek is an active and adventurous boy who is alive today because of his aunt's quick-thinking actions.

"She is our angel, for sure," says Curtis Trecek, Hudson's father.

On Father's Day, the family was enjoying a cookout at Hudson's grandparents' home in Ark City. Dinner time was approaching and everyone was getting out of the pool to eat, except Hudson.

His aunt Brenda turned and noticed he was at the bottom of the pool. She quickly pulled him out. He was not breathing.

"That's the hardest thing as a parent," says Curtis. "You're there to protect your kids and I felt like I could do nothing at that point because he was lifeless at the poolside."

Hudson's mom Barbara quickly started chest compressions until her sister took over.

"That's the last thing you want to do: CPR on your child," explains Barbara. "I'm just extremely grateful for her and just taking charge."

Hudson's aunt continued administering CPR until paramedics arrived minutes later. Hudson was rushed to the hospital then flown by EagleMed to Wichita for treatment. He was released from the hospital two days after arriving.

"As quick as it happened, it was a really quick recovery," says Curtis.

His parents say Hudson is 100 percent healthy today thanks to CPR and they are urging everyone to get certified.

According to the American Heart Association, about 350,000 people in the United States suffer cardiac arrest outside of the hospital each year. About 45 percent of those people survive when CPR is administered right away. That means, when someone's heart stops, they rely on the people around them to save their life.

"By knowing CPR, just being trained, you have the opportunity to change the outcome of something. Our outcome would have been totally different if my sister hadn't done immediate CPR," says Barbara.

Read more about CPR stats from the American Heart Association

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EagleMed invited Hudson out to ride in a helicopter again, this time to celebrate his recovery and the people who made it possible.