Christmas with Hazlet First Responders

Hazlet First Aid Squad had a special Christmas this year by achieving its 6th CPR save of the year. By any measure or in any city, 6 CPR saves in a year is remarkable. This success is significantly beyond the statistics as noted by the American Heart Association which suggests the best possible outcome is a 15% chance of survival in a Sudden Cardiac Arrest event.

At 2 PM on Christmas Day, the Squad received nearly two simultaneous 911 dispatches for serious illnesses. First Aid Chief Steve Schmidt dispatched the first ambulance to a call where the patient had lost consciousness and had labored breathing. Hazlet Police and Chief Schmidt arrived on scene and began CPR. The Volunteer First Aid Squad had 10 members on scene in minutes and Chief Schmidt took responsibility for the CPR activities for the patient while a skilled MONOC Paramedic crew began administering lifesaving drugs in the patient’s house. CPR continued unabated for over 45 minutes with the Volunteer EMTs providing the lifesaving technique. The EMTs continuously rotated the staff to sustain 104 beats a minute of chest compressions. Only these chest compressions keep the patient alive while the Paramedics work quickly to restart the heart. Chief Schmidt noted, “CPR is very much a physical effort and our people train relentlessly for these exact scenarios.”

For over 40 minutes, the situation was grim and the outlook in doubt. The patient had his family in the house for a holiday celebration when he suddenly became ill. Their Christmas holiday had gone from a joyous celebration into a nightmare. After 45 minutes of vigorous efforts by the First Aid Squad and the MONOC Paramedics, the Squad transported the patient to Bayshore Hospital. The patient who only minutes before had no heartbeat was responsive and alive. Everyone involved got a very special Christmas present most importantly the patient’s family. While the patient remained critically ill, he had a chance of survival once at a hospital.

“Hazlet Police were absolutely outstanding at the scene enabling us to get there and save this man’s life. In particular, Patrolman Wilhelm continuously inserted himself into the CPR rotation with our EMTs to save this man.” Said Chief Schmidt. “We have seen our Police go above and beyond what is required of them for our citizens. Today is a case where this initiative resulted in a life saved at the scene.”

Chief Schmidt noted the Squad is trying to raise Funds to acquire CPR Pumps which radically improve the potential outcomes in Sudden Cardiac Arrest situations. “CPR Pumps are the standard protocol in most cities today. Unfortunately, we have been unable to fund raise the money to acquire them. At a cost of $15,000, we are hoping that our citizens will find a way to help us acquire this equipment. The first life we save with this equipment may be someone they know.”

Donations to help acquire this equipment can be made to directly to the Hazlet First Aid Squad through PayPal or mail at 19 Maple Drive, Hazlet, NJ.