February 28, 2012
EMS Crew Saves Life
Health officials encourage Suffolk County residents to seek CPR training
Bohemia, NY – Emergency Medical responders from the Community Ambulance Company in Sayville received an emergency call on Friday February 24, 2012, reporting that a male was having a seizure at Nature’s Bounty, located at 90 Orville Drive, Bohemia. Emergency service providers Tom Fealey, Christopher Gonzales, Rachel Ferlin, Paul Mastronardi, Brad Marcinek, James MacDonell, Christina Kelly, and Giuseppina Amendola responded promptly to the 12:00 p.m. call.
Upon arrival, the ambulance crew found a 56-year-old factory floor employee who had no pulse and was not breathing. Co-workers who saw the man falling had initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) prior to the ambulance arriving. Community Ambulance Company personnel then continued CPR, assisted breathing and applied an automated external defibrillator (AED). The AED immediately analyzed and the members from Community Ambulance initiated a shock. Additionally, advanced life support intervention was administered using several lifesaving medications and a 12- lead EKG was acquired which revealed a Myocardial Infarction.
This team effort resulted in the patient regaining consciousness in the ambulance en route to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore. On arrival at Southside Hospital, the patient had strong stable vital signs, being able to respond to all inquiries to emergency personnel. The patient was admitted to the hospital where he is recuperating.
“We are grateful to the members of Community Ambulance Company who responded promptly to this call and the bystanders who initiated CPR to this man,” said Commissioner of Health Services James Tomarken. “It is well-established that the first three links in the chain of survival -- early bystander CPR, the early use of AEDs and early administration of advanced life support (ALS) -- significantly enhance survival percentage in cardiac arrest cases. We encourage all residents to learn CPR. It could save a life.”
Residents who are interested should call the Department of Health Services’ Division of Emergency Medical Services at 853-8315.
CONTACT: Grace Kelly-McGovern
631-853-3009