Pam Riddle uses lifesaving skills and Philips HeartStart Defibrillator to save a life

 

“It was 8:45 a.m. on March 22, 2005,” recalls Pam Riddle, personal trainer.  “It’s a day I’ll never forget. I was working with a client when another member tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to a man slumped over one of the stretching machines. The minute I saw Art I knew he was in trouble.”

 

Being prepared counts

Lucky for Art Garofalo, Pam Riddle and the fitness center where she worked were ready for such an event.  When Art went into sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), Pam and staff responded immediately.  Pam began CPR while others grabbed the nearby automated external defibrillator (AED).  Quick thinking, good CPR training and an electric shock from the AED got Art’s heart beating properly again.

 

Lives can be saved

According to the American Heart Association, if bystander CPR was initiated more consistently, if AEDs were more widely available, and if every community could achieve a 20 percent cardiac arrest survival rate, an estimated 40,000 more lives could be saved each year. Death from sudden cardiac arrest is not inevitable.

 

“The stats alone are compelling enough to suggest that AEDs should be located any place where people gather,” says Ms. Riddle. “You never know when SCA is going to strike. You can be in the mall, the airport, the gym, at home or anywhere for that matter. You can’t rely on an ambulance reaching the victim in time.”

 

Strong support for Philips

A few years ago, the AHA came out with a statement advising that fitness centers, especially those geared toward older adults, should have automated external defibrillators onsite. Colin Milner, CEO, International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), says the ICAA felt compelled to help its members take action. “After significant industry research we chose Philips AEDs because they represent one of the most reliable and easy to use products available. Plus, Philips is committed to providing ICAA members with the support necessary to deploy a successful and effective AED program.”

 

ICAA represents more than 5600 member organizations in 24 countries that operate a combined total of 40,000 facilities throughout the world. Mr. Milner notes that the national organization takes its role very seriously and has never before recommended a product or service.

 

Virtually anyone can use it

“Philips HeartStart Defibrillators are different than other available AEDs,” continues Mr. Milner.  “They are designed to be reliable and easy to use; virtually anyone - young or old - can operate one. Combine these elements with the AHA recommendation, and the decision to recommend HeartStart Defibrillators to our members was a no-brainer.”

 

Pam Riddle understands the consequences. “It took 20 minutes for paramedics to arrive when Art had his event. Needless to say, if we had not had the AED that day, he would not be with us.”

 

 

1. Yu T, Weil MH, Tang W. Adverse Outcomes of Interrupted Precordial Compression During Automated Defibrillation. Circulation 2002;106:368-372.

2. Eftestol T, Sunde K, Steen PA. Effects of Interrupting Precordial Compressions in the Calculated Probability of Defibrillation Success During Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Circulation 2002;105:2270-2273

 

- January 2008

+ More 'Profiles'

 

 

 

This content on this site is intended to be used for educational purposes only ...