Lessons I Learned From My First Cardiac Arrest
It strange to think that it’s been almost 20 years since the first time I did CPR. I still remember it so vividly. How the time flies.
I was fortunate to have good mentors and teachers in my early days in EMS. One of them was Phil Rigardo. As an EMT student, Phil had invited me to come do a few ride-along’s with him. I owe a lot to Phil. He was one of the first major influences I had in EMS and he framed the job in a fun and exciting way. I’ve managed to carry that initial frame (EMS is fun) for most of my career.
I had been riding with Phil for a few shifts when we got dispatched to a cardiac arrest. This was the first really sick person I had ever seen Phil treat. My first chance to see him in action. That was a big deal to me.
The engine crew arrived before us and the three man crew had been working for a few minutes prior to our arrival. I remember the narrow staircase that lead up to the crowded upstairs apartment. Clothes and furniture and bags and the stuff of crowded people living crowded lives filled the place. Three firefighters were crammed in to a bedroom made for one doing CPR on the bed. The Captain was speaking in a raised voice and stress was evident across his forehead. Our patient filled the bed and bounced with each compression.
Phil walked in and did something I never expected.
