Dead Man Walking Thanks to Shock of His Life

March 17, 2011 - PRLog -- Gary Gonzales lost consciousness in spin class at Spectrum Athletic Club recently, he was suffering from what is known as “the widow maker,” a heart attack so deadly only 10% of people survive it.  Class instructor Tracey Smith checked for his pulse and began CPR, co-worker Amaud Mitchell called 911 and rushed to grab a defibrillator.  A defibrillator sends dose of electrical energy to the heart to restart it when a patient suffers a heart attack.

Gonzales showed no pulse and was, in effect, dead for almost 2 full minutes. In conjunction with Smith’s CPR efforts, Mitchell administered one shock and shortly after, paramedics showed up and took over.  Had it not been for the split second decision making of the Spectrum Athletic Club team, paramedics and firefighters at the scene agree that Gonzales would not have survived.

On Friday, March 18, Gonzales will surprise Mitchell and Smith at a ceremony in recognition of their quick thinking and heroic efforts. Santa Monica Fire Department Captain Mark Bridges will present them with its Citizen’s Award.  (Mitchell and Smith have no idea that Gonzales will be on hand to thank them for saving his life.)

More and more public venues are being equipped with defibrillators, Spectrum Athletic Clubs have one at every facility and the staff is trained in its use.

DETAILS:

VISUALS:
Man who was dead surprises two heroes who saved his life
Firefighters to present Citizen’s Award

WHEN: Friday, March 18
TIME:  10 a.m.
WHERE: Spectrum Athletic Club
ADDRESS: 2425 Olympic Boulevard
                  Santa Monica