New York, NY, June 28, 2013 – A typical tranquil morning in Central Park, CPMU had all its ambulances, its Polaris Ranger, and its Bicycle Emergency Response Team on hand for the Parkinson’s Unity Walk. At approximately 8:30 AM a call was dispatched for an unconscious person near the East Drive at 66th Street. A CPMU ambulance arrived on the scene within 3 minutes, where volunteer EMTs Garry Resnick, Rafael Castellanos, and Danny Poon, found a gentleman in cardiac arrest. The crew promptly provided several shocks to the patient via an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and continued CPR started by bystanders.
Minutes later, the crew was assisted by additional resources from CPMU, FDNY, and NYPD. EMS paramedics worked alongside the CPMU EMTs to continue CPR, defibrillation, and advanced cardiac life support while enroute to a local hospital.
Nearly 6 weeks later, the patient was discharged from the hospital and is well on his way to a full recovery!
“The way that all of the units were able to come together was remarkable,” commented CPMU’s VP Operations Garry Resnick. “When you learn about the treatment for cardiac arrest, you learn that rapid care and the immediate use of an AED is very significant in determining the patient’s outcome. Early CPR, early defibrillation, and incredible team work led to this patient’s survival.”
Congratulations are also in order to the bystanders who started CPR and called 911, and to all the other units who assisted on this call. On Tuesday, June 25th, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association presented Garry, Rafael, and Danny with the New York City Heart Saver Award.
For almost 40 years, the Central Park Medical Unit has been at the front lines of emergency medical services providing compassionate and free care to Central Park visitors, and the larger New York City community in times of need. At your side when seconds count, the Central Park Medical Unit boasts one of the fastest ambulance response times in New York State. CPMU is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. All donations go directly to support our free life-saving mission. Click here to support CPMU.
