Bluffton, SC (August 2, 2025) -When Bluffton resident Jeff Hoffman talks about being blessed with Life 3.0, it’s not just a turn of phrase—it’s a statistical anomaly, a story of survival that defies the odds.
In 2017, while traveling in Southeast Asia, Jeff suffered a catastrophic coronary artery failure. At the time, doctors gave him a 1% chance of survival. He beat those odds, returned home, and resumed life with a deep sense of gratitude.
But on June 29, 2025, Jeff’s heart stopped again—this time from sudden cardiac arrest in his Bluffton home. Nationally, the likelihood of surviving a cardiac arrest without long-term effects is just 10%. In Jeff’s case—after surviving two major cardiac events—doctors estimate the odds of recovery at just 0.2%.
Thanks to the rapid response of Bluffton Township Fire District (BTFD) and Beaufort County EMS, along with the immediate actions of his wife, Trish, Jeff is here today—fully alert, walking, talking, and deeply thankful.
Trish performed manual CPR on Jeff for nearly 8 minutes until EMS crews arrived and took over. That early intervention made all the difference.
“Everyone should be trained in CPR and be willing to use it when necessary,” Jeff emphasized. “Without Trish’s CPR, there would have been a very different outcome.”
Earlier this week, Jeff and Trish returned to Fire District Headquarters to thank the firefighters and EMS personnel who played a critical role in his survival. It was an emotional reunion filled with handshakes, hugs, and heartfelt words of gratitude.
“I’m only here because these men and women did everything right—and did it fast. They saved my life,” Jeff said.
To honor his story and the incredible chain of survival that brought him back, BTFD produced a short video recounting Jeff’s journey and the coordinated response that gave him a third chance at life.
🎥 Watch the full 9-minute video below.
Learn more about CPR classes:
👉 Click here
We are grateful to Jeff and Trish for sharing their journey—and to the dedicated teams at BTFD and Beaufort County EMS whose training, teamwork, and commitment continue to save lives every day.