DELIVERING THE SHOCK OF A LIFETIME!

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was used to successfully revive a man whose heart suddenly stopped while at the HP Pavilion at San José on Saturday, April 15th during a Sharks hockey game. The patient was given basic life support treatment and while the patient was being examined the man became unconscious. The patient showed no signs of a pulse or breathing. Several guests assisted the EMT staff in placing the man on the floor and CPR efforts were started. EMTs Lisa Cipperly and Bryan Osorio immediately applied the AED. The AED recommended and delivered an electrical shock. This shock restarted the patient’s heart, which began beating normally. The patient then became responsive, looked at EMT Osorio and inquired about the score. San Jose Fire Department and AMR crews arrived on the scene shortly after and prepared the patient for transport to a local hospital. Witnesses state that the man, a season ticket holder of 15 years, was last seen leaving the building on a gurney and giving a high punch to the air as the horn sounded off indicating another Sharks goal. This devoted Sharks fan is doing well and is anxiously awaiting the next televised Sharks Hockey Game.

The City of San Jose has a goal of becoming the most Heart Safe Big City in the United States. San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzalez and San Jose Fire Chief Jeffrey Clet enthusiastically endorse this goal. There are just fewer than 300 million people in the United States. Sadly, more than 225,000 people will die each year as a result of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). In recognition of the health threat posed by SCA, the City of San Jose embarked on an ambitious AED Program in 2001. Since then, a total of 60 AED’s have been deployed within city buildings and facilities. This PAD (Public Accesses Program) program was implemented under the auspices of the San Jose Fire Department’s EMS Division.

The rapid deployment of a large number of AED’s created a significant training and education challenge. As a result, the San Jose Fire Department established a “rapid deployment” training approach in order to assure that a sufficient number of AED/CPR providers were certified to American Heart Association guidelines during the initial rollout of the city’s PAD program. In parallel, the SJFD incorporated the physiology and treatment of SCA victims into their Community Education Program. SJFD Firefighters and the EMS Division personnel teach this program. This training is available to residents and guests of San Jose by contacting the EMS Division at 408-277-4084.

Submitted by Captain, Alberto Olmos, Public Information Officer