Cardiac Arrest Patient, Family Meet Westport EMS

September 14, 2011 could have been the worst day in the lives of a Westport family, but the quick and precise actions of a group of friends and emergency responders turned tragedy into triumph.

That afternoon a 14-year-old boy was running with a group of fellow rowers from the Saugatuck Rowing Club when he suddenly and without warning collapsed to the ground. One of his running mates quickly realized that he was unconscious and not breathing.

While his friend and teammate immediately initiated CPR, Coach Sharon Kriz pulled out her cell phone and dialed 911. A Westport EMS Paramedic ambulance arrived on scene four minutes later, followed by police and fire personnel, and took over CPR and medical care. EMS personnel rapidly applied a cardiac monitor and identified a fatal heart rhythm abnormality. Paramedics defibrillated the victim’s heart back into a normal rhythm, after which he regained spontaneous pulses and respirations. Following IV access, drug and oxygen therapy stabilized the boy and he was transported to the hospital. Follow-up testing revealed a previously undiagnosed and extremely rare cardiac abnormality, and after open heart surgery, he returned to school six weeks later and is well on the road to full recovery. 

In recognition and gratitude for the exemplary efforts which resulted in the victim’s life being saved, the Westport office of William Raveis Realty, at which the victim's mother is a realtor, held a fundraising drive on behalf of Westport EMS. Soon thereafter, the victim's family, along with Beverly Walsh, VP of Sales of William Reveis Realty and Realtor Leslie Smith Clarke, met with members of Westport EMS, including Mark Blake who was on the crew that responded to the call to thank them in person and to present them with a check and a plaque.

“Through the collective efforts of the William Raveis Westport Office, we hearby present the Westport EMS with this plaque and check in recognition of the life-saving pediatric CPR efforts they provided," Walsh said in making the presentation.  

Martin Iselin, President of Westport Volunteer EMS, accepted the check and plaque on behalf of the corps. 

“In 30 plus years as a Paramedic, I can count on two hands the number of cardiac arrest patients I’ve treated who were able to walk out of the hospital and lead fully productive lives, and this is the first time one of them has come back in person to thank us," said Marc Hartog, Coordinator of Westport EMS. "I can’t begin to tell you how gratifying it is to see (him) standing here in front of us, looking as well as he does, and know that through our efforts he will be moving forward, leading what we all hope will be a long and fulfilling life.”

Hartog went on to note that the victim’s case is a lesson for all on the importance of civilians learning CPR.

“(His) survival is the result not just of the EMS crew’s actions, but of the actions of everyone involved,” Hartog said.

Hartog noted what the American Heart Association calls the 4-link Chain of Survival for cardiac arrest: Early recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of 911, early CPR, early defibrillation, and early advanced care. A break or delay in any one of the chains significantly decreases the likelihood of patient survivability and recovery.

“(He) probably wouldn’t be here today if it were not for the rapid actions of his team mates; without their quickly starting CPR and calling 911, the actions of our crew would likely have been futile," Hartog said.

Westport Volunteer EMS encourages all citizens to become trained in CPR. WVEMS offers a range of CPR classes, some of which are offered free of charge to Westport residents. For more information, please go to their website www.westportems.org, or call (203) 341-6030.