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Shannon GriggsAge at time of Sudden Cardiac Arrest: 37 years old"I just celebrated my 38th birthday!"
Eddie RinehartAge at time of Sudden Cardiac Arrest: 39 years old"The miracle of the day was NOT to go running in the neighborhood, but to go to the gym, which clearly saved my life... [since the gym had] a defibrillator on site..."
"I was five minutes into the run and I felt really weird. I was light headed. The last memory I have is that I was moving my hand to slow down the treadmill," Eddie said. "The next memory I have is being wheeled out of the gym on a stretcher with the paramedics at my side." Eddie had fallen off the treadmill. He was lucky to have had two gym members rush to his aid. CPR was begun and the defibrillator fetched and used promptly — three shocks and he was awake. Eddie of course knows none of this. He started to apologize to everyone for all the fuss, thinking he'd just fainted and banged his head. It was when he saw the helicopter that it dawned on him that it might be serious. And seeing Cathy, his wife, running up the driveway confirmed it. He must have been out for some time, because she had been asleep in bed when he went for the run. "The miracle of the day was NOT to go running in the neighborhood, but to go to the gym, which clearly saved my life!" Eddie exclaimed, "And then having people there with the knowledge to act, and having a defibrillator on site as well." "We are such a small minority," Eddie says of the survivor "family" he now belongs to. "Something must be done," he stated emphatically, "to empower people to act! We just can't stand by, or call 9-1-1 and do nothing." Drew WhiteAge at time of sudden cardiac arrest: 29 years oldThe defibrillator restored Drew's heartbeat, saving his life. About ten minutes into refereeing a high school basketball game, Drew dropped to his knees and fell onto the court. As luck would have it, there were two nurses from the local hospital in the stands watching their daughters play in the game. They quickly rushed to Drew's aid, administering CPR and deploying the YMCA's defibrillator. The defibrillator restored Drew's heartbeat, saving his life. Drew awoke in the emergency room of the hospital 30 minutes later with no recollection of the event. Today, Drew is able to live his life with little change to his daily routine.
Vince GrazianoAge at time of sudden cardiac arrest: 40 years old"... the device determined that Vince's heart was not beating properly, if at all... with one shock Vince's pulse returned." If you swim for nearly an hour a day, ride a bike 100 miles without a thought, and generally keep yourself in shape, you'd expect to be heart healthy, right? Well, not necessarily. Vince just started work after his morning swim at the YMCA. At the usual morning meeting, Vince became unstable and fell off his chair. He didn't make a sound; he just crumpled to the floor. Lucky for Vince his co-workers [recognized his sudden cardiac arrest] and instantly began CPR, after calling out for someone to call 9-1-1. This midtown building had a central security desk from where the emergency call went out. It also had a defibrillator and the guard brought it up to the meeting room. He deployed the device and it soon determined that Vince's heart was not beating properly, if at all. The defibrillator was designed to rectify this situation and with one shock Vince's pulse returned. "I couldn't believe that it had happened to me. I'm the oldest of three; my younger brother and sister as well as my parents all have high blood pressure. I was the healthy one in the family — up until this!" Vince exclaimed. "I've got everybody on the band wagon. The guys at work, my family [have all gone for a checkup]," Vince said with pride. Mark VollmarAge at time of sudden cardiac arrest: 41 years old"It was a mere three minutes before the first shock was administered by the defibrillator ... Mark was discharged from the hospital after one week." Mark Vollmar, an off duty policeman, was on his way to the store to buy a birthday present for his eldest son — Nicholas. His younger son, Christopher, came along for the ride. They were cruising down the busy street when Mark collapsed at the wheel, his foot stuck on the gas pedal. Christopher was pinned down, but Nicholas quickly turned the ignition off and the car coasted onto the front lawn of a nearby church. Witnesses grabbed their cell phones to call 9-1-1. Witnesses began CPR. A motorist flagged down a police cruiser that had a defibrillator. It was a mere three minutes before the first shock was administered by the defibrillator. Two more shocks and Mark's pulse returned. The EMTs arrived soon after and Mark was discharged from the hospital after one week. Maxwell KingAge at time of sudden cardiac arrest: 61"I was alive again, brought back by the heroic efforts of half a dozen people who jumped in with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an automated external defibrillator to save me."
Max's heroes were from the museum Max had just exited. The museum's defibrillator was used to save his life. "[A rescuer] used the defibrillator within two and a half minutes of my collapse," said Max, "Within three weeks, I was back to work. Within three months, I was back to biking, hiking and rowing." Max added, "My case is a perfect illustration of the impact of early CPR and defibrillation. I'm well aware that as a survivor, I'm in the minority. It's time we changed that. We ought to have a society where 18 out of 20 people survive."
Kim ZalepaAge at time of sudden cardiac arrest: 40 years old"Several shocks later Kim's heartbeat was restored and she was taken to the local hospital." Kim and her husband, Todd, took their two daughters on a day-trip skiing. Midday, Kim took a solo ride on the ski lift, to brave the slope alone. Her husband and daughters waited below. Kim did not return. Luckily Kim was spotted unconscious in the snow, but precious minutes had already passed. A physician, nurse and fireman were all skiing that day and all made it to Kim's side. The rescuers tended to Kim until the ski resorts' defibrillator arrived, which saved her life. Several shocks later Kim's heartbeat was restored and she was taken to the local hospital. Kim fully recovered. Lee CurtisAge at time of sudden cardiac arrest: 54 years old"It was the defibrillator, coupled with good fortune and God's blessing. That's the only reason I'm here." Lee was struck by sudden cardiac arrest while skiing with his wife and friends. Lee was rapidly showing some of the classic signs of a heart attack — shortness of breath and sweating. The last thing Lee remembers is seeing the clear blue sky above him. He passed out despite the oxygen mask over his face. The defibrillator announced that it was a shockable rhythm, so they "pushed the button" on the little blue box to bring him back. The cause of all this trouble may well have been his high cholesterol and family history of heart disease. So these days Lee takes life easy, and watches what he eats, plus he exercises every day. Lee also has a defibrillator at home, one in each office and takes one with him most places he goes. He knows that, "...it was the defibrillator, coupled with good fortune and God's blessing. That's the only reason I'm here. Without a defibrillator, not one stroke of luck, highly technical person, or sophisticated piece of machinery would have been able to save me." Keith WhiteAge at time of sudden cardiac arrest: 52 years old"I was very lucky to be alive and it was a good thing there was a defibrillator in the building, since it would have been too late for [EMS] to save me. We need this lifesaving device to be installed everywhere to save more lives from SCA." In Keith's own words: I was attending a dinner dance to celebrate the 60th anniversary of our church, Immaculate Heart of Mary, when I suddenly collapsed in front of the band. My wife called for help and an off-duty firefighter, Assistant Chief Tom Riemar, who also happened to be present at the dance, was summoned. He performed CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for about five minutes, together with some nurses who were also at the dinner dance. One of the church staff members noticed the firefighter performing CPR and asked what was going on. He revealed that I was in SCA (sudden cardiac arrest) and was awaiting the Life Squad. She told him that the church had just received an automated external defibrillator. He asked her to fetch it and then he used the defibrillator to shock me to bring me back to life. After that, the Life Squad arrived and took me to the hospital. En route, they told me that I was very lucky to be alive and it was a good thing there was a defibrillator in the building, since it would have been too late for them to save me. We need this lifesaving device to be installed everywhere to save more lives from SCA.
Alexander "Sandy" MartinAge at time of sudden cardiac arrest: 60 years old"...fortunately they had a defibrillator in the building. Within a few minutes, it saved Sandy's life."
Sandy is a die hard squash player, he was in great shape. Sandy and his partner had just won a five game match, and everyone had left the court. Sandy felt the need to hit a few more balls into the front wall. He wandered back onto the court and promptly fell down. His partner alerted the club staff and fortunately they had a defibrillator in the building. Within a few minutes, it saved Sandy's life. The EMTs took some time to arrive and promptly took him to Mercy emergency ward. Once stabilized Sandy was transferred to Johns Hopkins hospital and by the end of the week Sandy was awake with no knowledge whatsoever about his event. Now, Sandy is committed to raising the awareness of SCA and advocates strongly for defibrillator deployment. Greta StandishAge at time of Sudden Cardiac Arrest: 36 years old"It amazes me how something so small can do something so big. It's important that everyone have access to defibrillators. Why do I tell my story? Because I am a woman who is not overweight, I don't smoke, I don't drink. I exercise ... I had no warning signs..."
I now tell everyone I can about my story. My family and friends have heard it so much they are TIRED of it. Why do I tell my story? Because I am a woman who is not overweight, I don't smoke, I don't drink. I exercise (okay I don't exactly exercise but I am active) and don't eat all that horribly. I had no warning signs of fainting or heart palpitations. One of the first things I did when I got back to Iowa was to talk to my children's school nurse about having defibrillators in all the schools. We talked about how they aren't expensive and save lives. She was able to talk to the school board and now all the schools in the Johnston School District have at least one defibrillator available. Cardiac arrest can affect children and adults a like. It amazes me how something so small can do something so big. It's important that everyone have access to these. Look in almost every store — they have a defibrillator. Now that you see them, you need to learn how to use them. These too, SAVE LIVES. By learning CPR and how to use a defibrillator, anyone can save someone's life. Everyone needs to know what a heart attack or cardiac arrest look like. Like me, they may not be able to tell you what is wrong. Anyone can be a hero — my husband is mine. Rosie Marie StallbaumerAge at time of sudden cardiac arrest: 54 years oldThey returned with a defibrillator, which they quickly attached to Rosie's chest. It took two shocks to revive her. And the paramedics arrived a few minutes later ...
"As I reached the last sentence the print blurred and I realized that I could not decipher the words. That was my last memory at the church. I awoke in the emergency room of the Marysville Hospital," Rosie explains. "I was told that my last words were slurred. Then I collapsed, hitting my head on the edge of the podium and falling down a couple of steps. A friend who was seated near the rear of the church immediately dialed 9-1-1." Two nurses at the church rushed to her aid and began CPR. The pastor of the church and the presider for the wedding ceremony rushed to the church sacristy and returned with a defibrillator, which they quickly attached to Rosie's chest. It took two shocks to revive her. And the paramedics arrived a few minutes later to take Rosie to the local emergency room.
James GakenAge at time of sudden cardiac arrest: 58 years old"Luckily, the incident happened within 30 feet of a security desk, which was equipped with an automated external defibrillator. Security personnel were able to apply the defibrillator in less than two minutes and get my heart beating again." In James' own words: The night I died, my wife and I were on our way to visit our daughter in New York City. We had stopped at a casino in Connecticut for dinner and a little entertainment before resuming our trip. As we were leaving the casino, my arrest occurred. My wife, who is a nurse, knew exactly what had happened and thought I was dead by the time I hit the floor. Luckily, the incident happened within 30 feet of a security desk, which was equipped with an automated external defibrillator. Security personnel were able to apply the defibrillator in less than two minutes and get my heart beating again. EMT's arrived shortly and transported me to the local hospital, where I spent the night. That's the first thing I remember, waking up in the ambulance and wondering where I was. Jim BaumAge at time of Sudden Cardiac Arrest: approx. 60 years old"...the presence of the defibrillator purchased for his neighbors... saved Jim's life" Jim Baum is a good neighbor. After seeing defibrillators mounted in the Chicago O'Hare Airport, he spoke to a physician friend about them. Jim decided that he should have a device in each of his three homes because the neighbors in each location were elderly. The defibrillators Jim ordered arrived in October 2003 and sat in the corner in their boxes for a month or so. While packing to go to their condominium in Puerto Vallarta for Thanksgiving, Jim's wife Nancy threw one of the boxes in their suitcase and didn't give it much more thought. A week after the Baum's arrived in Mexico, Jim sat on the porch with a cup of coffee and opened the cardboard box with the defibrillator in it. He wanted to see how it worked, so he screwed in the battery and started to play with it. Later that evening, he showed the device to his wife and their visitors, a dentist and a nurse. It was an interesting conversation piece. When they were done admiring the machine, Jim placed it on the dresser in the bedroom. The next day after a walk across the beach to a nearby restaurant, Jim started to feel tired. He decided to go back to the condo to take a nap. His wife and their guests stayed behind to eat. Not long after lying down, Jim experienced a mild sensation in his chest and began to feel cold and clammy. Fortunately, his wife and their friends returned shortly afterward to the condo. When Jim heard them enter, he called for his wife and told her what was happening. She, in turn, beckoned for their guests to come into the bedroom. The dentist took Jim's pulse and said that they needed to bring him to the hospital. As Jim began to respond that there was no need to go to the hospital and that he would be fine, his eyes rolled back and he collapsed in sudden cardiac arrest. While Nancy attempted to call 9-1-1 (which doesn't exist in Mexico), the nurse reached over and pulled the defibrillator off the dresser and the dentist applied it to Jim's chest. Seventeen seconds after collapse, a shock was administered and Jim was revived. When he opened his eyes, Jim recalls thinking, "I went to sleep with these three people standing around me? How rude!" Needless to say, the speedy response by his friends, and the presence of the defibrillator purchased for his neighbors and put in the suitcase by his wife, saved Jim's life. Roger Watson, Jr.Age at time of sudden cardiac arrest: 62 years old"...the staff brought him back to life using a defibrillator in just a few hundred seconds." Since Roger is a war-time veteran, it was a surprise to everyone that the most dangerous situation he'd ever encountered was in a fitness center. Roger was working out, he'd moved onto the stretching and sit-ups when he felt dizzy and collapsed. The staff at the fitness center rushed into action, performing CPR and retrieving the defibrillator. The staff brought him back to life using a defibrillator in just a few hundred seconds. The defibrillator delivered one shock. By the time the EMTs arrived Roger had a pulse and was conscious, but only vaguely aware that he had collapsed. "Live every day as if it was your last," Roger advised. "This experience makes you realize what's important in life. Your family, sharing your time with people you care about. "
David BelkinAge at time of sudden cardiac arrest: 65 years old"I survived because there was a defibrillator in place at the elementary school where I had my SCA."
In David's own words: I am a recent survivor of SCA (sudden cardiac arrest). Interestingly enough, I just came from my first visit with my electrophysiologist and when I referred to SCA, he looked puzzled. I said it referred to sudden cardiac arrest. He said he knew it as SCD or sudden cardiac death. I think his thinking is indicative of most people, including professionals, because most people do not survive my experience. I survived because there was a defibrillator in place at the elementary school where I had my SCA. Days prior to the basketball game during which David was struck by sudden cardiac arrest, David was pronounced in perfect health by his primary care physician. About 2 hours into a vigorous game of basketball, he started to feel lightheaded and a little woozy. He collapsed soon after, David's heart had stopped. CPR was intiated and the call for the school's defibrillator and 9-1-1 was shouted. The defibrillator quickly restarted David's heart. Witnesses say that David was out for less than three minutes. David is aware that without the defibrillator, he would not be with us today. David added, "The guy who saved me said I was gone but for the defibrillator. I am happy to report that because the defibrillator was applied immediately I suffered no heart damage and the catheterization showed no blockages. But for the defibrillator being in that elementary school and being applied immediately, I know and have been told by my doctors that I would not be here today. Certainly, I would not have survived without any heart or brain damage. Many more people, like myself, can be saved if these devices are placed in schools and other facilities used by the public. If we can spend money to have fire alarms in these very schools and public places to protect property, it seems that we can do the same thing to put these devices in the same places to save lives." Bob PalmerAge at time of Sudden Cardiac Arrest: 65 years oldDefibrillators are easy to use "...just follow the voice, [the defibrillator] walks you through it." In 2008, without warning, Bob fell off his kitchen chair to the floor, he was experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Like so many of his age group Bob does suffer from high blood pressure, and had done for many years without any adverse effects — until that day. His wife called 9-1-1 and luckily EMS providers were located only a few blocks from the home, they arrived within minutes. He was defibrillated and "shipped off to the local emergency room, and later to Sunnyside Kaiser Hospital." "I didn't know what a sudden cardiac arrest was. I thought I'd had a heart attack." Bob hit the web to find out more. "There are two functions needed; you need to keep oxygenated blood moving, and defibrillation to fix the erratic arrhythmia." Bob told me with confidence. "I've just learned that since leaving the hospital." His statement reminded me that so many other people don't know these simple facts. It took this near death for Bob to spend the time to find out. We discussed the fact that SCA is prevalent, and that defibrillators are so easy to use. "From what I've read... you just follow the voice, it walks you through it," Bob added. Mari Ann Wearda"I was the victim of an SCA, and if not for the grace of God and a defibrillator, I would not be here today." In Mari's own words: I was the victim of an SCA, and if not for the grace of God and a defibrillator, I would not be here today. I know the importance of early access to a defibrillator. [After collapsing at a traffic light,] a policeman, had me hooked up to a defibrillator in about three minutes. Ninety-five of the people who have an SCA never make it to the hospital. My chances of survival would have been about 50% if it would have been five minutes... and if I would have had to wait for the ambulance that took more than 11 minutes to get there, I hope you would have all made it to my funeral. I survived with no permanent damage to my heart. I am only telling you all this again because I really want you to be aware of your hearts and defibrillators. SCA is the leading cause of death in our country. That 95% death rate could be changed to a 98% survival rate if people had early access to defibrillators. These lives can be saved — we have the cure. [Plus] a defibrillator is so simple to operate that a child can do it. Tonight, when you are sitting across the table or beside your loved one, or ones, think for a minute what you would do if that person collapsed. Would you know what to do if their life was in your hands? Would they know what to do if you collapsed? Those minutes after you call 9-1-1 and before EMS walks through the door are the most important of all.
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In Shannon's words: I am a wife and mother-of-two living in a small town in Alabama. On March 5, 2009, I was at home from work because of [a family occasion], my husband and daughters were also at home with me at the time which was uncharacteristic for a typical work/school day. According to my husband, I was walking through our master bedroom when I passed out. He called 911 thinking I must have oddly fainted, but he began to visually tell from my appearance and color that something was terribly wrong and began administering CPR. [Luckily], our paramedics were on a traffic call very near our home and left the accident scene to quickly attend to me. After [use of a defibrillator], my heart was restored ... I was taken to our nearby hospital where I was airlifted to Huntsville Hospital. I returned to church at Guntersville First Presbyterian on Easter Sunday and just celebrated my 38th birthday on April 28, 2009!
Eddie had no idea it would be so important. He just decided on a whim to drive to the club and use the treadmill for his morning run. Normally he pounded the neighborhood streets around 5:30am. Not that spring day.
"I was struck down by sudden cardiac arrest that left me with no heartbeat, no pulse and no breathing," Max said, "[then] I was alive again, brought back by the heroic efforts of half a dozen people who jumped in with CPR and an automated external defibrillator."
In Greta's own words: I am a mother of 5 and I am 39 years old and also 2½ years old. September 2, 2006 was the day my life changed forever. I was sitting at my mother-in-laws kitchen table, making peach salsa and talking to my husband's cousins. Mid-sentence, I went stiff. [My husband] came over, and found me in the chair with my eyes opened and glazed. I wasn't breathing and had no pulse. [Greta's heartbeat was re-established using a defibrillator, which began her path to full recovery.]
While speaking at a wedding ceremony in a church (luckily equipped with a defibrillator), Rosie was struck by sudden cardiac arrest.