The AMA Sportsmen Association has been recognized by Essex-Windsor EMS for its role in helping an area family.
Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Justin Lammers presented the AMA Sportsmen Association a “Cardiac Champion” certificate last Tuesday night in honour of an AED (automated external defibrillator) donation to a teen and his family after the teen suffered an instance of cardiac arrest this past February.
Lammers and paramedic and public education officer Dave Thibodeau were on hand for the presentation. Thibodeau explained he conducted a training session with Sportsmen Club members Sept. 17 after the club purchased a new defibrillator.
“They bought a new one and donated the old one,” Thibodeau explained.
The old AED was donated to Jack Luck and his parents Darren Luck and Sue Reaume. Jack suffered cardiac arrest when visiting with his father and was resusutated after near fatal results.
Jack has an ICD, a pacemaker type of implant, though the AED will act as a backup should something happen. Thibodeau said the family will be trained on how to use the AED.
“If he’s out and he doesn’t feel well, they’ll know what to do,” he said.
Essex-Windsor EMS is mapping where defibrillators are in the community. Thibodeau estimates there are 2,000 in Windsor-Essex County and Lammers added they are trying to increase awareness of where they can be accessed.
Should an emergency call come in with someone in cardiac arrest, the plan is to have the emergency operator provide instruction as to where a defibrillator is as part of the response.
Jack suffered cardiac arrest at age 18 and he and his family are grateful for both the response by EMS, but also for the care he received and the donation from the club.
“I always thought it could never happen in my family,” said Reaume.
Reaume said Jack is fit and in shape and works out regularly with his father and they didn’t expect anything like this to happen.
“When you see him, he’s a walking miracle,” she said. “(The donation) means a lot.”
Darren said Jack was visiting with him and his girlfriend when Jack went into cardiac arrest.
“I was beside myself. I didn’t know what to do,” he said.
Using CPR or a defibrillator is never harmful when trying to rescue someone, he quickly learned. Lammers added that most cases of cardiac arrest happen in the home.
Jack originally fell at one point and didn’t remember what had happened. Noting he and his dad usually play jokes with each other, Jack thought at first it was sort of prank that was being played.
It was no prank and he left the room to lay down after saying he didn’t feel well, something uncharacteristic for him. Jack returned to the living room to ask a question but then started breathing heavily and clutched his chest.
“All of a sudden, he died,” said Darren.
Paramedics were on scene within minutes and revived Jack.
“It was like a scene from a movie,” said Darren. “All of a sudden, he literally jumped off the ground.”
Jack was in a coma for about a week and when he came out of it, Darren said even the staff in the ICU were emotional as people in Jack’s condition rarely, if ever, survive.
“The entire ICU broke into applause,” he said. “The entire ICU was crying.”
Jack was diagnosed with myocarditis and also spent time in London on his road to recovery. Darren said the head of cardiology looked at Jack’s chart, looked back at the family and said they were lucky as no one usually lives after what Jack suffered.
“He has a full memory and has no brain damage,” added Reaume.
Jack emphasized how thankful he is to everyone that helped in his journey. He said he is feeling close to 100 per cent after his miraculous recovery.Dr. Andrew MacDonald, a dentist at Sandwich West Dental in LaSalle, hosted an AED session Sept. 26 and donated the proceeds to replace the battery and pads of the AED.
Thibodeau connected the club’s outgoing defibrillator with the family and the donation was made.
The AMA Sportsmen Association was modest in their acceptance of the certificate from Lammers.
“We’re glad to be able to donate to a family that can use it,” said club president Rodney Ferriss. “If it saves a life, that’s all we care about.”
For more information on the defibrillator program or to donate an AED, e-mail defib@countyofessex.ca.
AMA Sportsmen recognized by EMS
By Ron Giofu
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