University instructor Mark Blaine and Department of Public Safety Officer Andrew Johnson helped save a student in cardiac arrest, according to a press release from the Department of Public Safety. The yet-to-be-named student collapsed from a cardiac arrest in the middle of the intersection of University Street and Johnson Lane, near the EMU around 3:40 p.m. on Nov. 21.
“We were on a shoot doing a project and I saw him go down about 50 yards away,” Blaine said. “He went down pretty hard.”
One of the other students rushed to his side, calling out for help and Blaine’s survival training kicked in.
“He was clearly having trouble and gasping,” Blaine said. “I went through first responder training and asked students to call 9-1-1.”
He first thought it was a seizure, but another student found that the man had no pulse. That prompted Blaine to start the CPR.
“I’m very grateful for that student,” Blaine said.
Officer Andrew Johnson was dispatched to the scene and arrived during Blaine’s CPR.
Johnson retrieved an automatic external defibrillator from his vehicle to measure the need for a shock to revive the student. Johnson used it accordingly, and the shock restarted the his heart, saving the student’s life.
“Thhank you for having the AEDs in the car,” Blaine said. “He may be alive because of that.”
The Eugene Fire Department medics arrived shortly and took over the student’s care, taking him to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. He received emergency care for his cardiac arrest and has now recovered.
“This was exceptional – actually extraordinary – work on our part, and it exemplifies the best skills and traits of our profession,” said UODPS Chief Doug Tripp in the press release.
Blaine is just glad that he had the training necessary to help the man.
“I’m thrilled that he’s okay and that he’s recovering,” Blaine said. “We worked as a team and it all came together.”
DPS and University instructor help save student
Daily Emerald
December 4, 2011
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