Special Recognition
Date:
01/20/2010 (Last updated: 01/21/2010)Summary:
At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, a special recognition took place.Contact:
At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, a special recognition took place. City employee Richard “Rich” Walton was recognized for his life saving efforts earlier this month.
On Tuesday January 5th at 4:38 PM a report was received of a person collapsing at the Desert Hills Golf Course, 1245 West Desert Hills Drive. The victim had collapsed after playing a round of golf and was not breathing.
YFD Paramedics arrived to find that Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) was being done on a male in his 60’s. An Automated External Defibrillator (or AED) had also been brought from the clubhouse and had been attached to the victim by Walton, the Desert Hills Golf Pro. Walton had received AED training from the City of Yuma.
Before the Paramedics got to the victim, the AED delivered a shock to the victim’s chest. Paramedics found the patient was again breathing and shortly regained consciousness. The victim, who had previously been in cardiac arrest, was able to talk to the YFD personnel. The victim was transported to YRMC for additional evaluation, and has since been released from the hospital.
The CPR that was being performed by the victim’s companions, the availability of the AED, and Rich Walton’s quick actions all combined to save a life. Walton’s actions were praised by the Mayor and Council, as well as other City of Yuma officials. A representative of the AED’s maker, Cardiac Science, was also present to congratulate Walton.
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