Bicyclist credited with saving man in Bike the Drive

Cyclists head north near McCormick Place in a heavy fog during the 9th annual Bike the Drive today. The event closes down Lake Shore Drive from Bryn Mawr Avenue on the north to 57th Street on the south. (Nancy Stone, Chicago Tribune)

Staff report
5:15 p.m. CDT, May 29, 2011

A quick-thinking physician is being credited with saving a 72-year-old man who suffered cardiac arrest as he biked in the annual Bike the Drive event this morning, Chicago Fire Department officials said.

The incident happened at about 8:45 a.m. near the North Avenue exit when the bicyclist began to fall from his bike, said Chicago Fire Department Chief Joe Roccasalva said.

Luckily for the bicyclist, a doctor who was also participating in the event was riding behind the man when he saw him begin to fall, said Roccasalva.

The doctor jumped from his bike and began administering CPR as paramedics were called, Roccasalva said.

Paramedics from Engine 98 arrived and also began giving the man CPR and shocked him with a defibrillator, Roccasalva said. They were able to stabilize the man who was alert when he was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in serious condition.

The Bike the Drive event kicked off at 5:30 a.m. at Columbus Drive and Jackson Drive and ended at 9:45 a.m., according to the event website.

About 20,000 people of all ages and experience levels turned out for the 30-mile, round-trip course, which had closed the drive from Bryn Mawr Avenue on the North Side to 57th Street on the South Side.

The weather was cool and gray for riders with a dense fog advisory and temperatures in the 60s near the lake, according to the National Weather Service. The agency has issued a dense fog advisory that took in most of the region.

What can happen when someone helps.

BEND, Ore. -- It happens quickly -- and half of the time, without warning. Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S.

And it can happen to anyone, even active people like Jim Belfatto.

"If you see ESPN on TV, it's the same thing where these guys drop dead suddenly. Same thing. No one was there to help them," said Jim Belfatto.

But there was someone to help him.

A year ago, Belfatto went into cardiac arrest while working out at a local gym. But because of the quick action of bystanders trained in CPR and knowledgeable in using an AED, he was brought back to life.

Two days later, doctors at the Heart Center implanted an ICD -- an Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator.
"It's more of a governor, so if I get revved up over 190 (heartbeats per minute), it will shock me and kick in -- and that's what would save my life in the future," said Belfatto.

These devices have made strides in the past 25 years. For the past four years, patients in Central Oregon have been able to receive this treatment more readily with 2 full time electrophysiologists in town.

Doctors implant over 100 devices in patients locally each year, and many lives have been saved.

"its a machine that's kind of like a pacemaker," said Dr. James Laughlin, electrophysiologist at The Heart Center in Bend. "It also can slow heartbeats down, but the purpose of a defibrillator is to protect patients from dangerous fast heart rhythms."

Laughlin performed the ICD surgery on Belfatto. He says half the cases of cardiac arrest happen to patients with preexisting heart problems and heart disease. But Belfatto's case falls in the other half.

"The other half like the patient in our story yesterday, had no warning that he was at risk. It just happened suddenly, and the reasons for that remain unclear," said Laughlin.

The best thing experts say to do, while keeping up a good diet and exercise plan and visiting a primary care physician, is to remain educated, in order to take care of yourself and take action when your help is needed.

Though doctors helped Jim Belfatto get back to normal, it was a bystander trained in CPR who initially gave him a fighting chance.
"I'm just grateful for the people working out with me and saved me," said Belfatto. "I survived 16 minutes of CPR, took an ambulance 16 minutes to get to me. Without them, I'm not here today."

Again, it doesn't take a doctor to help save someone going into cardiac death. Medical professionals stress the importance of learning CPR.

The man who gave life support to Belfatto, Todd Lushin, was a volunteer with the Mt. Bachelor National Ski Patrol and was just passing by when Belfatto collapsed. He was later awarded a Merit Star by the national organization for his quick, life-saving action.

School-Based CPR-AED Programs Save Lives

ACEP News
April 2011

BY BRUCE JANCIN

Elsevier Global Medical News

CHICAGO - Programs that assist schools in implementing comprehensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use are resulting in markedly higher survival rates for sudden cardiac arrests occurring on school grounds, according to a new report from Project ADAM.

In Georgia, where a 2008 statewide survey showed comprehensive CPR-AED programs were in place in 32% of schools, survival to hospital discharge occurred in 10 of 26 students and 12 of 23 adults with sudden cardiac arrest at participating schools. This 45% survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is far superior to rates reported in the literature, which are typically 5% or less, Dr. Stuart Berger noted at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association.

Eight of the 26 affected Georgia students were in elementary or junior high school, underscoring the point that sudden cardiac arrest in pediatric patients is not a problem confined to high school athletes, as is often assumed to be the case, added Dr. Berger, professor of pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and medical director of cardiology at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where Project ADAM is based.

The Georgia students who survived sudden cardiac arrest included individuals with long QT syndrome, Kawasaki disease, aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, lightning strike, commotio cordis, and coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva.

Project ADAM's Georgia affiliate, Project S.A.V.E., based at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta since 2004, has provided information on comprehensive school CPR-AED programs to all 180 school districts in the state.

A quarter of all schools in Wisconsin and 90% of the state's high schools now have CPR-AED programs. So do all traditional schools in the Milwaukee public school system. A statewide survey found a 36% rate of survival to hospital discharge in schools where an AED was utilized during sudden cardiac arrest, Dr. Berger continued.

Project ADAM is a not-for-profit organization. ADAM stands for Automated Defibrillators in Adam's Memory, in tribute to a 17-year-old Wisconsin youth who collapsed and died while playing basketball. Project ADAM staff has developed a CPR-AED training manual with an instructional DVD and other no-cost materials for schools. The staff works with parents, administrators, school nurses, teachers, coaches, and athletic trainers to develop an emergency response plan and first-responder teams trained in CPR-AED. Project ADAM provides training grants to schools to support these efforts.

Dr. Berger said schools are a logical place to locate secondary prevention programs as part of a public access defibrillation strategy. Not only do many of the estimated 3,000 sudden cardiac deaths per year in children and adolescents happen during school or after-school activities, but 20% of U.S. adults spend time in schools each week for their jobs, to attend programs, or in visiting students.

"Increased student CPR education will also put a new cadre of first responders into the communities. As future collaboration is carried forward, endeavors such as Project ADAM and other educational public access defibrillation programs will continue to improve outcomes to a level that has not yet been realized," the pediatrician predicted.

Georgia and Wisconsin are among at least 17 states with laws requiring or supporting AED placement in schools.

Fan saved, returns to promote Bystander CPR

Cubs Fan Saved by TriHealth Team after Collapsing at Great American Ball Park Returns to Promote CPR Awareness, Throw First Pitch

Updated May 17, 2011

TriHealth Team, CPR Save Man's Life at Great American Ball Park (Oct. 13, 2010)

A Chicago Cubs fan who went into cardiac arrest at Great American Ball Park last season threw the ceremonial first pitch as the Reds hosted the Cubs on May 16 to raise awareness for the thing that saved his life — bystander CPR.

The TriHealth Event Medicine Team jumped into action to save Larry Alexander's life on August 28, 2010. After watching the Cubs beat the Reds, he collapsed face-down in a ballpark elevator while heading back to his hotel.

Fortunately, the elevator was right next to the TriHealth-staffed First Aid room. Dr. Jarrad Lifshitz, an emergency physican with the TriHealth Event Medicine Team, along with two nurses, administered CPR, used a defibrillator, intubated Mr. Alexander, and inserted an I.V. to inject medicine for his arrhythmias — all right there in the elevator.

Mr. Alexander received treatment at Good Samaritan Hospital, then went back to the Chicago area for open heart surgery two weeks later.

Just before the Reds hosted the Cubs on May 16, Mr. Alexander, 80, threw the ceremonial first pitch to the doctor who helped save his life.

“I am so grateful that I get emotional just talking about it – I owe my life to those people in Cincinnati,” he said.

As a walking example that bystander CPR saves lives, Mr. Alexander returned to partner with the TriHealth Event Medicine Team, doctors from Good Samaritan Hospital and the Cincinnati Reds by passing along the message of the importance of CPR.

Mr. Alexander was featured in a pre-game, on-field recognition ceremony before the 7:10 p.m. matchup.

During the game, TriHealth had a booth set up in the concourse along the third base line with the following:
- Wallet cards with CPR tips
- Mini-mannequins for people to practice their CPR technique and get feedback from TriHealth nurses
- A sign-up sheet for free self-guided group CPR training kits.

Mr. Alexander is partnering with TriHealth to make the American Heart Association’s CPR Anytime kits available free to as many as 75 people who are willing to commit to training at least five or more people at their work or other community organization.

CPR facts
- In Cincinnati, only 14.1 percent of cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR.
- The American Heart Association estimates that more than 95 percent of cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital; however, when CPR is administered, the survival rate increases to 31.5 percent

Why Aren't AEDs Being Used In An Emergency?

POSTED: Monday, May 16, 2011
UPDATED: 6:03 pm EDT May 16, 2011

Automated external defibrillators or AEDs are becoming a common sight in schools, gyms and businesses. Even local elementary school children have been trained to run and grab the device in an emergency.
But experts said too often these lifesaving devices are not being used when an emergency happens.
Puran Raber's 16-year-old son Ian's heart stopped after he was struck in the chest by a baseball at Avondale High School. The school has two AEDs, but neither was brought to the scene or used to restart Ian's heart.
"I walked through the gym doors, and I saw him laying on the floor. And EMS was working on him, and I ran over and I looked at him and I just started crying," said Raber. "I said 'Do you have a pulse?' And they said, 'No we don't.'"
Paramedics were eventually able to restart Ian's heart, but his parents wonder if he would have had an easier recovery if an AED had been used immediately or if someone had performed CPR.
"That morning, if anyone had gotten that defibrillator and brought it to Ian's side, then maybe somebody would have used it. But it never entered anybody's mind to go get it," said Raber.
Raber's story highlights a basic flaw in the AED system -- they're only effective if a bystander is willing and able to use them.
"AEDs don't save lives. People using an AED save lives," said Dr. Robert Swor, the director of Emergency Research at Beaumont Hospital.
Swor said there a two sets of problems involving AED use.
"One is physically where is the device? Do people know where it is? Is it locked up? And then there's the other problem where cardiac arrest is a scary situation, and certainly they're confusing for people," said Swor.
Dr. Frank McGeorge reported in an emergency, some people simply freeze up and don't act. Others are afraid of hurting someone by doing CPR or using an AED, and the majority may not recognize that someone needs an AED.
There are no firm statistics on how often an AED goes unused in an emergency, but researchers have studied similar situations involving CPR.
Swor's research found when bystanders trained in CPR witnessed someone in cardiac arrest, only 35 percent actually did CPR. The majority, 65 percent, did not perform CPR.
McGeorge said many people don't realize an AED won't deliver a shock unless it's needed, so there's no need to be concerned about hurting someone accidentally.
Swor said choosing not to use an AED dramatically reduces someone's chance of surviving cardiac arrest.
"If you get defibrillated after a cardiac arrest in a public place, your chance of survival is about 40 percent. Usually 5 to 10 percent of people survive a cardiac arrest overall. So, they're dramatic in their ability to improve survival," said Swor.
Experts said it's crucial for facilities that have an AED to make sure several people are trained to use the device and that training is repeated on a regular basis. Parents and employees need to ask where the defibrillators are, how many people have been trained and how often that training is being repeated.
Avondale Schools Superintendent George Heitsch told Local 4 they are thankful Ian is back in school and doing well. Heitsch said because of Ian's accident, the district plans to increase AED training to include annual refresher classes districtwide at the beginning of each school year. Avondale High School will also soon be getting a third defibrillator.
"What we really need people to do is act," said Swor. "Call 911 and start doing CPR. And if there's a defibrillator available, get it."
Raber is now working with her children's schools to make sure what happened after Ian's accident never happens again.
"I thank God every single night that he gave him back to us," said Raber.
To learn more about how to use an AED, click here.

Copyright 2011 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Teen Rescues Another Teen

BONITA BEACH, Fla. -- A Bonita Beach teen is being called a hero for rescuing another teen in the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend. The South Fort Myers High School student says he was just doing what anyone else would have done.

A swimmer is recovering thanks to the quick thinking of a 16-year-old at Bonita Beach. The teen that saved the swimmer is remaining humble and said he was just in the right place at the right time.

"The tide was about up to here and that's when I heard the screams for help and they were right out there," said Matt McKnight, who saved a swimmer over the weekend.

McKnight is not your typical 16-year-old.

"A lot of people have been saying i'm a hero but I don't really feel like one," said McKnight.

Sunday afternoon he was working and said the Gulf of Mexico was a dangerous place to go for a swim.

"It was a little rougher than most," said McKnight.

With strong rip currents happening, McKnight said two brothers were playing in the water when something went wrong. At first he thought screams were kids playing around and then realized it was no joke.

"I hear help, help. I look out there and there is two heads floating and the one went under and didn't pop back up," said McKnight.

With a boogie board in hand, McKnight didn't think twice and quickly swam to help.

"I just happened to be in the right place at the right time," said McKnight.

He and another woman were able to pull the two brothers to the beach. Mcknight said he has a boater safety card and knows a little about CPR. He just hopes the brothers stay safe when wading in the water.

"Hopefully I'll see them out on the beach again," said McKnight.

As for those two brothers who were taken from the water, at last check, WINK News was told they were breathing on their own when they were transported to the hospital.



Read more: http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2011-05-16/South-Fort-Myers-High-School-student-saves-teen-from-near-drowning#ixzz1Mc3i7fvB

High school tragedy averted by local heroes

Two Comsewogue coaches revive student who collapsed in gym

By Elana GlowatzWrite The Author
Port Times Record
May 12, 2011 | 12:33 PM

The three-on-three intramural basketball game last Wednesday evening, May 4, had barely started when junior Hope Reindl collapsed on the floor of the Comsewogue High School gymnasium.

Coaches Rick Miekley and Justin Seifert came to the girl's aid. Reindl was unconscious, but still breathing, the coaches said. However, the girl's breathing became labored and soon stopped completely.

Comsewogue coaches Justin Seifert and Rick Miekley, seen here with Legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher, were honored this week by the County Legislature for their ‘brave acts.’ Photo from Matt DeVincenzo. (click for larger version)
"When we got to her, she wasn't responding," Seifert said.

"Her face started to turn purple" and she didn't have a pulse, Miekley said. He started CPR while Seifert called for an ambulance and sent a student to retrieve the automated external defibrillator that is mounted on the hallway wall between the doors to the gym. Together, the coaches put the device's pads on Hope's chest.

Seifert said the AED "detected her heart was in distress" and advised them to clear and shock her, which they did, then continued CPR until the paramedics arrived. "That was the longest probably three and a half to four minutes of our lives," Seifert said.

According to Miekley, the AED's record shows Hope returned to a normal heartbeat after it delivered the shock. He said the paramedics hooked up intravenous lines and intubated Hope before rushing her to the hospital.

Carl Reindl, Hope's father, said Monday his daughter is doing better and has been home from the hospital since Saturday. "She's eating, doing everything a normal kid would do." Still, Reindl said his daughter would be staying home from school for two weeks on doctor's orders.

The Reindl family lives around the corner from the high school, Carl said, and his wife was able to get to the school while Hope was still on the gym floor. He was at a diner nearby and hurried over as well.

Carl said Hope doesn't have a history of heart problems and has been in top condition playing softball year-round for the past five years. He called the incident at the gym "just one of those things."

The fast action of the coaches "saved my daughter's life," Carl said. "There's no doubt about it."

Hope Reindl, a varsity softball player at Comsewogue high school, is currently at home recovering. Photo from Carl Reindl. (click for larger version)
Seifert said Hope is "one of the most remarkable young ladies I've ever met," adding she is strong to have fought through something like this.

Miekley called it a "miracle" that Hope pulled through.

Although the coaches are certified yearly in CPR, neither Miekley nor Seifert had ever faced a situation like that before. "When I started CPR, it was just surreal," Miekley said. Although he was in disbelief, he said, "it was a matter of remaining calm and just going through the motions."

Seifert said the situation was the most frightening and intense of his life, but "not much goes through your head except her at that moment."

According to Athletic Director Matt DeVincenzo, Seifert and Miekley received a proclamation May 10 from the Suffolk County Legislature for their "brave acts." He said he is proud of them and "very thankful that my coaches are well-trained and they kept their composure." From his perspective, the athletic director said Hope's well-being "far exceeds any state championship."

Principal Joe Coniglione said defibrillators are located in the main hallways of the high school. Coniglione said AEDs had never been used before last Wednesday "and we never plan on using them again."