Submitted by Orcas Island Fire and Rescue

Orcas Island Fire and Rescue crews responded to reports of CPR in progress after a male in his 60s collapsed during the Imagine Festival at Doe Bay Resort shortly after 11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13.

When the victim went down, two physicians and a critical care nurse from the event staff began CPR while an automated external defibrillator owned by Doe Bay Resort was applied. After approximately 15 minutes of CPR and a total of six shocks delivered by AED, the patient regained a pulse and was transported to a mainland hospital for continued care.

“For every minute a victim is in cardiac arrest, their chances of survival decreases by 10 percent,” explained Battalion Chief Patrick Shepler. “Starting CPR right away may double, or even triple the victim’s chance of survival once a public AED is deployed or EMS arrives and takes over.”

AEDs work to assess cardiac activity and advise if shock is needed. Approximately 1,700 lives are saved in the U.S. each year by bystanders administering CPR with an AED. Orcas Island has AEDs located throughout the community at local businesses, schools and other places of public for use by bystanders during cardiac emergencies.