ONE OF THE SUCCESS STORIES IN OUR COMMUNITY

“On June 22, 2002 I was revived by an AED within 1-2 minutes after collapsing in the locker room of my local health club. I did not experience pain or discomfort during my workout, nor did I have any symptoms normally associated with heart disease, such as high blood pressure or chest pain. Moreover, I don’t smoke, I exercise regularly and my diet is very sensible.

The circumstances under which I was revived were quite remarkable; I am very thankful for my good fortune. Someone saw me collapse, notified the staff of the club who promptly went into action to find me with no vital signs. Staff started CPR, contacted 911 to request advanced life support, retrieved the AED and administered one shock.

Advanced Care Paramedics arrived on scene 4 minutes later, administered post-arrest care and transported me to the hospital.

In the emergency room a physician told me that I was among the approx. 1-3% of people who survive cardiac arrest in communities without a PAD program.

Needless to say I will always be grateful to those who saved my life. I am also grateful that I live in a community where medical staff like Keith Kirkpatrick and Dr. Rudy Vandersluis, as well as public officials in Town Councils who all support the PAD program that saved my life.

Each day I count my blessings and view life with renewed attitude. I plan to spend more time enjoying life with family and friends, and to become an advocate for the PAD program and other community initiatives.”
By Tom Dallas

“I will be eternally grateful not only to the staff who were there to save Tom but also to all those who made it possible for the AED equipment to be in place to do the job. We feel truly blessed that this potentially fatal incident occurred where there was access to a defibrillator, that alert and well-trained staff were nearby to put it to use, and that we live in a community that recognizes the need for public access to this life saving equipment.”
By Audrey Dallas (Tom’s wife)