FRISCO, Texas, Dec. 17, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OxySure Systems, Inc. (OTCQB:OXYS) ("OxySure," or the "Company"), a medical device innovator of life-saving, easy-to-use emergency oxygen solutions with its "oxygen from powder" technology today announced that the Company has signed an exclusive long-term agreement with two-time USA Olympian and Sydney Games' Team USA Flag Bearer Cliff Meidl who has been a spokesperson for construction, electrical and Call 811 safety.
Against all odds: Cliff Meidl has an amazing story of courage, perseverance and determination. At the young age of 20, Meidl received a severe electrical shock on a work-site in Los Angeles, California where he was digging and hit an underground power line. In a moment, over 30,000 volts of electrical shock and exploded through his body, catapulting him with tremendous force out of the digging hole. He then slid back onto the energized jackhammer. Meidl immediately went into cardiac arrest. Luckily, local fire fighters were close by and went to work and saved his life by resuscitating him and providing CPR and oxygen. Meidl suffered severe electrical burns over 15% of his body.
Several doctors have indicated that by all accounts, Meidl should not have survived. However, despite withstanding a voltage equivalent to five times the amount used in an electric chair, and having suffered multiple serious burn wounds, severe knee damage (that threatened his legs) and his big toe literally being blown through his work boot, he staged an amazing comeback through perseverance and years of painful rehabilitation. Meidl's inherent determination and will to not only survive but to thrive paved the way for his future success.
Meidl quickly rose through the ranks as a competitive kayaker, and less than ten years later he was marching into the Opening Ceremonies of the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta as a member of the USA Olympic Kayaking Team. Moreover, Meidl made Team USA again in the 2000 Olympics and was elected as the Team USA Olympic flag bearer before those games. Prior to the Athens Olympics, Meidl was selected for the "Olympian Heroes Series" as one of the twenty most inspiring USA Olympians from 1948 – 2004. Meidl was also featured in the 2015 USOC calendar series "Portraits of Olympic Courage."
Today, Meidl is a prolific speaker in the safety industry and a passionate advocate for safety, CPR, emergency preparedness and leadership topics. Meidl has been featured by Oprah, by Matt Lauer and Katie Couric on NBC's "Today Show," and various other television shows and magazines. Meidl is passionate about saving lives and paying it forward, and he also supports and has spoken to such groups as the American Heart Association (2014 CPR & First Aid Leadership event), a number of Call 811 and other safety and energy events such as the Western Energy Institute.
"We are excited to welcome Cliff Meidl to our OxySure Team," said Julian T. Ross, CEO of OxySure. He added, "As an Olympian and CPR recipient, his safety and health mission can continue to resonate with OxySure both in the U.S. and globally."
Meidl shares this excitement. "OxySure has already saved thousands of lives with its innovative portable emergency oxygen system, AEDs and other resuscitation equipment. It is an honor for me to join the OxySure Team moving forward."
About OxySure Systems, Inc. (OXYS)
OxySure Systems, Inc. (OXYS) is a medical technology company that focuses on the design, manufacture and distribution of specialty respiratory and medical solutions. The company pioneered a safe and easy to use solution to produce medically pure (USP) oxygen from inert powders. The company owns numerous issued patents and patents pending on this technology which makes the provision of emergency oxygen safer, more accessible and easier to use than traditional oxygen provision systems. OxySure's products improve access to emergency oxygen that affects the survival, recovery and safety of individuals in several areas of need: (1) Public and private places and settings where medical emergencies can occur; (2) Individuals at risk for cardiac, respiratory or general medical distress needing immediate help prior to emergency medical care arrival; and (3) Those requiring immediate protection and escape from exposure situations or oxygen-deficient situations in industrial, mining, military, or other "Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health" (IDLH) environments. www.OxySure.com
About Cliff Meidl
Cliff Meidl is a CPR recipient who survived an electrocution in November 1986. Meidl made two USA Olympic Teams in the sport of kayaking and was selected by his teammates to carry the American flag at the Opening Ceremonies of the Sydney Olympic Games. Upon his selection, global media featured his courageous comeback story and he was later honored by a number of groups and organizations with courage awards including the 2000 "Arete Award for Courage." Meidl is a current national safety spokesperson for the One Calls of America, Inc. whose state call center members promote "Call Before You Dig" Call 811 safety. He has also served as a national media spokesperson for construction safety and electrical safety. Meidl is also a speaker who has delivered scores of keynote presentations for leading global companies, energy groups, health & safety organizations and damage prevention and safety summits across the U.S. www.cliffmeidl.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are not historical facts are considered to be forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding management beliefs and expectations, based upon information available at the time the statements are made, regarding future plans, objectives and performance. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond management's control and actual results and performance may differ significantly from those contained in forward-looking statements. OxySure Systems, Inc. intends any forward-looking statement to be covered by the Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this statement for purposes of said safe harbor provisions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. OxySure Systems, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date as of which such statements are made. A discussion of certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements is included in OxySure Systems, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.