It was just another day at work for Kevin yesterday. Packing up his stuff to move to a new office. Hosting a meeting with a visitor from off base. Saving someone's life.
Oh wait, that latter was pretty unusual and yes, it really did happen. Kevin and a coworker were at the right place, at the right time, and probably saved someone's life.
Kevin and his colleague, G., were talking in the hall when someone rushed out of a nearby lab and said that there was a medical emergency in the lab, with someone having a seizure. After Kevin and G. made sure 911 had been called, they rushed in to see what was happening. Sure enough, a man whom K. has known for years was on the floor, obviously in distress though still breathing (the breathing was very labored, however). K. took charge and sent someone out to direct the EMS personnel to the correct lab. All too soon, their coworker stopped breathing and G., who is trained in CPR, was not able to find a pulse. G. started CPR, and Kevin rushed out to get the AED unit. This is a device which analyzes an unconscious person and can administer a shock to the heart if necessary. Kevin took the training when the AED units were installed, so he knew where to get it, and how to use it. Kevin set up the AED, which analyzed their coworker's condition and advised a shock to the heart. K. administered the shock and the AED instructed that CPR continue. G. started CPR again. A minute later, their coworker regained partial consciousness and started fighting G. off. That is a GREAT sign. I've taken CPR and First Aid and when the heart stops, the situation is very dire and the fatality rate high. The fact that their coworker was able to move again was very encouraging.
About this time, EMS and emergency personnel arrived in force. There were paramedics. There were firefighters. Presumably because it is a military installation, there were people in combat gear :-). They rushed K's colleague off to the hospital. He was scheduled for triple bypass surgery yesterday evening and we don't have further word on what happened.
The whole situation was very intense. I'm extremely proud of my husband for stepping up and, with G's help, doing the right thing at the right time. When the heart stops or is beating ineffectively (which may have been the situation as the AED would probably recommend a shock for an ineffective heartbeat), there isn't much time before a person either dies or experiences serious impairment. Those few minutes were critical. I'm also thankful for the Lord's gracious hand on this man. He often works alone in the lab, and had he been alone he almost certainly would have died. Thankfully, he was talking to someone when he lost consciousness. It is also a blessing that Kevin and G., both of whom had the necessary training, were right outside the door and were able to come to his aid quickly.
I've read that when an emergency happens and a number of people are present, it is common for people to stand around waiting for someone else to take charge -- sometimes with serious consequences. Kevin is a leader, and he made the right decision to take charge and do what needed to be done.
So, it was a good day, and an intense day, for Kevin at work. And I'm very proud of my husband.
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