| 10/28/2008 4:25:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | OP cops revive heart attack victim
By BILL DWYER
Staff Reporter
Web Extra!
Oak Park police used a defibrillator this morning to save a commuter who had a heart attack on the el platform for the Green Line at Ridgeland Avenue.
Officers Stan Bruno and Manuel Ruiz were on routine patrol when they got a dispatch at 9:43 a.m. to help paramedics dealing with an unconscious 54-year-old man. When they arrived at the station, they saw that paramedics had yet to arrive, so they got the defibrillator from their squad car and brought it to the platform.
The officers placed the device on the man. When it told them he needed to be shocked, they charged the device and administered two charges.
"The second shock converted the man's heart to normal sinus rhythm," Deputy Fire Chief Mark Pugnaitis said.
When the paramedics arrived, they stabilized the man and took him to West Suburban Hospital, where is reportedly doing well and is expected to recover.
Pugnaitis said the quick and mindful action by the officers most likely saved his life.
"If the patient didn't get electric stimulation to his heart muscle within five to 10 minutes, he would have died," he said, noting that when a heart flatlines, there's a 1 percent chance of survival.
Pugnaitis said this marks the third time in five years Oak Park police have used a defibrillator to revive a heart attack victim, and the eighth time since 2003 someone in the village has been saved with a defibrillator.
Oak Park police chief Rick Tanksley said he would be submitting Bruno and Ruiz's names for a departmental award.
|
Reader Comments
Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Article comment by:
M Stewart
Thanks go out to the Oak Park Police the are Oak Park's finest heros!
Everyone should be trained to use these difibulators. We should really have one available at the Oak Park Regional Housing Center! There are at least 3000-4000 clients per year thru our doors.
Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Article comment by:
Dave M
I was the guy who called in the 911 from the Ridgeland platform. I am astounded and happy to learn that the victim survived. The cops gave him at least four rounds of shocks before the ambulance arrived. It was not like on "House" where the patient suddenly sits up. He looked totally dead when the paramedics removed him! Those guys in blue earned their salaries.
Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Article comment by:
Bill Maxwell
The device used, an Automatic Electronic Defibrilator was in the early stages of development when it was brought to my attention back in the late 70's by a man who was an investor. He said someday they would be in every movie theater. If he were alive today, I'm sure he would be surprised that what he invested in is being used in so many public places. If not already, each Officer should be trained on the AED and CPR because they are most likely to be the first on many emergency scenes first and can begin starting life saving procedures until the paramedics arrive. I certainly hope that this single life being saved will be the catalyst needed to put away the penny pitching budget pencils and bring both the Police and Fire department back to full strength level.
Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Article comment by:
Dale Murray
Those machines are amazing, I absolutely love them. I do not know what the distribution status of them in Oak Park is but I hope they are in all squad cars and Segways, if possible.
Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Article comment by:
Christine Pastor
You are both heroes. Absolutely.
Posted: Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Article comment by:
Les Golden
Escorting women from parking lots back to their apartments, breaking up teenager street skirmishes, bringing stray dogs back to their homes, aiding wandering Alzheimer victims, and saving lives -- such as in this case -- are many of the functions of our police, besides the obvious one of law enforcement. I hope that this life-saving incident serves a second purpose: To convince the village board that our police need to be at full strength.
Posted: Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Article comment by:
Lisa Lewis
I was so moved by this article. Way to go officers!!!!!!! It's so refreshing to hear of good deeds like this. Your families should be proud!
Posted: Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Article comment by:
Hon. Donna L. Cervini
Officers Bruno and Ruiz, I am so proud of you. Thank you for your fine service.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
