Man collapses in Racine restaurant, Caledonia Police trained in AED save man
A man celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary is now able to celebrate his life.
Caledonia Police saved the unconscious man at a restaurant over the weekend thanks to training they received by the local fire department.
In a release, Caledonia Police wrote:
"Caledonia Police responded to Oh Dennis Restaurant for an unconscious elderly male. Officers Chad Zoltak and Matthew Tingwald responded and arrived on scene within one minute of the call. Officers entered the restaurant and found a citizen performing CPR on the patient. Officers applied their AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and a ‘shock’ was advised and delivered. CPR continued and moments later the AED advised to discontinue CPR. The male regained consciousness and began speaking. Caledonia Rescue arrived on scene and transported the patient to All Saints Hospital."
"These officers within the past week had received their CPR/AED recertification training from the American Heart Association, administered by the Caledonia Fire Department. The Caledonia Police Department is proud these officers were able to use their training to save the life of Donald Chady. It should be noted that Chady was at the restaurant celebrating his 50th Wedding Anniversary."
"The Caledonia Police Department would also like to recognize the citizen who assisted with CPR, identified as Heather Flemming of Caledonia. With the quick actions and response by both Flemming and the police department, a tragic event was avoided."
"I opened up the AED, took the pads out, made sure his shirt was out of the way, put the pads on where they're supposed to do, turned AED on and let it do its work," said Officer Chad Zoltak, Caledonia Police Department.
Officer Zoltak says he has used the AED before, but he never had a case where a shock was advised.
"I'd imagine it made a difference. We carry them in our squad cars for this exact reason," said Officer Zoltak.
Zoltak was at a traffic stop just two blocks away when the call came in. That's why he was able to get to the restaurant in one minute, and that's the reason officers are trained in AED and CPR.
"We're already out on the road. The fire department does a great job responding, but they are coming from the fire department. So, when we're out on the road like what happened Saturday, we were two blocks down the road, you can't get closer than that," said Officer Zoltak.
"They get recertified every two years. They come in and it's called the 'heartsaver program.' It's not as in-depth as the paramedics, but it's basic CPR," said Battalion Chief Jason Schuls, Caledonia Fire Department.
Battalion Chief Schuls had just given Officer Zoltak his recertification training days before the incident.
"It started with bystander CPR. That's what benefitted this gentleman to begin with because early CPR, is what I think saved this gentleman, along with the AED," said Battalion Chief Schuls.
Both departments agree, the man's outcome may have been different if no one in the restaurant knew CPR.
"Her name was Heather she did an excellent job. without her who knows what would have happened. I would hope somone else would have stepped in. That makes the difference. When somebody goes down and there's other people around, don't hesitate to step in because that's what ultimately saves people is quick thinking and being calm," said Officer Zoltak.
Both departments also want to encourage that you do not need special training to use an AED. They are available in most public buildings and all you need to do is turn it on and follow the audible directions.