Survivors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Arizona
Christian Broadwell - Arizona Ironman 2005 & 2006
Russell Vossbrink - 36-year-old survived sudden cardiac arrest with the help of a new lifesaving technique developed in Arizona.
Russell Vossbrink, a civilian Department of Public Safety employee, suddenly collapsed while at the DPS Crime Lab on March 24. His heart - and breathing - stopped. After two DPS security officers placed an automatic defibrillator (AED) on the victim, Phoenix Fire Department crews began using Cardiocerebral Resuscitation or "CCR," a cutting edge alternative to standard paramedic resuscitation developed at The University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center.
Russell Vossbrink is alive today. Many are not so lucky – in 2004, the average survival of patients with out of hospital cardiac arrest was three percent in Arizona.
CCR is a new approach to out of hospital cardiac arrest for emergency medical service (EMS) personnel. A recent report in JAMA, one of the world’s foremost medical journals, showed survival rates following out of hospital cardiac arrest increased three-fold when emergency medical personnel used CCR, which focuses on continuous chest compressions and delays placement of a breathing tube. More than 2,000 EMS firefighters have been trained in the protocol.
Kathie Reilly - 33-year-old elementary school teacher survived sudden cardiac arrest through quick action of her husband
Tom Francis - 67-year-old mountain bike enthusiast saved by latest EMS technology
