Saved by EMS from sudden cardiac death

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) - In September 2008, Williamsburg resident William Smith walked out of a York County YMCA following a workout and collapsed in the parking lot. He went unconscious and says he never even remembers walking out of the building.

Staff from the YMCA and then from James City County and York County Fire/EMS responded. Smith was, in his doctor's words, just about "dead."

Smith has no memory of what happened, but he did have a request: He asked to meet the people who gave him a second chance at life.

"What you call it is sudden cardiac death," said Smith.

We brought together all three crews that responded to the 9-1-1 call that day, and Smith, to meet in the YMCA parking lot where he had the heart attack. Each crew described what they did that saved his life.

First on scene was York County Fire and Rescue's Garry Corker.

"We had to shock you one more time," said Corker.

James City County paramedics arrived next, and medic Robert Mintern described to Smith what they did to help.

"We began to administer some cardiac drugs to help restart your heart," he said.

But even with those efforts, Mintern said Smith still had no pulse and CPR continued. Seconds later, another York County crew rolled in and immediately put in a breathing tube. Laura Rondeau described the final seconds before relief swept over everyone.

"We then shocked you again and not long after that, you began to to spontaneously breathe," Rondeau said.

With three crews surrounding him, Smith became one of the 3 percent to survive a sudden cardiac death.

"I think about it a lot," Smith said. "Thank you."

But while these crews and so many others just like them are dedicated to saving lives, the need for people like them is growing.

York County Fire Deputy Chief Mike Player said that becoming an EMS worker usually means learning the trade through volunteer hours.

"Alot of our career personnel are made up of individuals who are former volunteers. It's not for everybody," said Player.

Garry Corker, the first medic to arrive on scene to help Smith, says that is exactly how he got into the EMS business.

"I put in hours of volunteering in Phoebus for two years," said Corker.

When a career change seemed right, Corker says he applied to York County Fire and Rescue.

"Let's give it a shot, I thought," he said. "I've been here ever since."

Find out more at: becomeems.org