In early November, we were honored with a
visit from a cardiac arrest survivor and his family. The 43-year-old man, Lawrence Bailey, had collapsed on a Sunday morning in August. He went 48 minutes without a pulse but was resuscitated and left the hospital without any significant deficits several weeks later.
It takes a well-trained and coordinated team to accomplish this kind of success. In fact, the team is especially good in Kitsap County and across Washington state where the likelihood of surviving a witnessed cardiac arrest is two times better (33 percent) than the national rate (16 percent).
It’s true that the chain of survival can’t be effective without good pre-hospital care provided by firefighters, EMTs and paramedics. However, it takes more than us to save a life. To be successful, all the links of the chain must be working well. Someone must recognize the emergency and report it through the 9-1-1 system. While rescuers make their way to the scene, bystanders must be performing good CPR and utilizing an AED (automated external defibrillator).
Well-staffed and trained teams of emergency responders must get to the patient quickly to continue CPR, de-fibrillation and other treatment while providing rapid transport. The patient must be taken to a hospital, like Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, that has the capability to quickly correct the most common causes of adult cardiac arrest.
On the day that Lawrence collapsed, the chain of survival was intact and every link was strong. What can you do to keep the chain strong?
One way is to attend A CPR/AED class. Call us at 360-297-3619 to sign-up or for information about future classes.
Holiday safety
Visit our website at www.nkfr.org for tips on keeping the holidays safe and happy.
Santa schedule
It’s our honor once again to escort the jolly ol’ elf to events around the area. We’ll be with Santa at the following events.
Kingston Christmas and Tree Lighting, 5 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Port of Kingston’s Mike Wallace Park.
Driftwood Key Children’s Christmas Party, 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Driftwood Key Clubhouse.
Santa Breakfast, 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 9 at David Wolfle Elementary School.
Holiday Open House, 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at NKF&R Headquarters.
Holiday Band Concert, 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Kingston Middle School.
Hansville Children’s Christmas Party, 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at Hansville Community Center.
Give the gift of safety
Planning to gift a bike, skateboard, skis or snowboard this season? Include a certificate for a custom-fit helmet. Give a certificate for a
smoke alarm installation and/or home safety survey. Know someone who needs a life jacket? Give them the opportunity to get one custom-fit. Address signs? Child car seat check? We can help! Contact us at 360-297-3619 or email laboda@nkfr.org.
— Michèle Laboda is prevention/community services specialist and public information officer for North Kitsap Fire & Rescue. Contact her at laboda@nkfr.org.
