At approximately 3:55 p.m. on Sept. 15, a 64-year-old man passed out while playing pickleball at the Monon Community Center. A Code Red was called to alert employees of the incident and Senior Lifeguard Matthew Selear and Recreation & Facilities Director Eric Mehl responded, along with off-duty Carmel Police Sergeant Dave Kinyon.
Selear arrived first and quickly recognized the man was not breathing and did not have a pulse. He initiated CPR with the assistance of Sgt. Kinyon. Mehl arrived shortly after and applied pads from an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the victim. The AED recommended a shock, and a single shock was delivered to the victim. Sgt. Kinyon and Selear then continued with another round of CPR.
A short time later the victim began to regain consciousness and was able to answer questions. After regaining consciousness, he was monitored and kept comfortable until Carmel Fire Department EMS arrived and transported him to the hospital.
This incident is another example of the importance of having AEDs in public locations, as well as training in CPR. The Carmel Fire Department has several initiatives in place to increase the number of trained citizens and public areas with access to life saving resources. Access to AEDs and CPR before EMS arrival has proven to significantly increase survivability.
Great work to the individuals who recognized the severity of the situation, relied on their training, performed flawlessly and saved a life.