Marshfield Clinic Staff, Spectators Help Save Life At Tennis Meet
Automated External Defibrillator plays key role in rescue
Shown above is an example of an automated external defibrillator (AED), similar to the type used to save the life of a tennis coach stricken at a recent Marshfield athletic event. From the beginning of her training at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Marshfield Clinic Licensed Athletic Trainer Ashley Lagerquist always made sure she had an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) with her when she covered athletic events.
That habit helped save the life of a coach at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 2 tennis sectionals on Thursday, May 28, hosted by Marshfield Columbus High School.
During the tennis sectional, an assistant tennis coach at one of the participating schools returned a ball to event officials and then collapsed.
“He was just yards away from several of us when he went down,” said Edna DeVries, M.D., Marshfield Clinic pediatrician and Central Division medical director, and a spectator at the event. “He had no pulse and was not breathing, so we started CPR.”
Dr. DeVries and Lagerquist were joined in resuscitation efforts by Marshfield Clinic Anesthesiologist Duane Myklejord, M.D.; Allyson Mayeux, M.D.; and registered nurses John and Julie Folstad, Eau Claire.
Dr. Myklejord, who is also the tennis coach at Marshfield Columbus High School, saw the coach collapse.
“I ran to him and asked how he was doing and he didn't respond. I checked the pulse in his wrist. I was not sure if I felt one or not,” Dr. Myklejord said. “I asked if anyone had called 911, and Ashley responded that she had done so.”
Lips turned blue
By this time the coach’s lips had turned blue, and he appeared to be gasping for breath.
“John Folstad started chest compressions and I noticed they were very effective. With each compression, I could feel the coach’s pulse,” Dr. Myklejord said. “After 30 compressions, I gave two mouth-to-mouth ventilations, which didn’t expand the chest. I then asked if someone had a mask, and Ashley gave me one with a one-way valve attached to it. With the mask, I was able to ventilate him effectively. I saw his chest rising, and then we continued chest compressions.
After calling 911, Lagerquist attached the AED leads to the coach and confirmed that his heart rhythm required him to be shocked. It took one shock from the AED along with additional CPR to resuscitate him.
“Folstad and I restarted CPR and his face began to regain normal color,” Dr. Myklejord said. “We stopped CPR and confirmed his pulse was present. We turned him to recovery position and he started to breathe spontaneously. Then he opened his eyes and asked what happened. I was amazed. I explained to him that he just had a cardiac arrest and he received CPR and a shock.”
When EMS arrived, the coach was alert and able to respond correctly to questions and was transported to Saint Joseph’s Hospital.
“When it comes to CPR and AEDs, the first two minutes are the most critical time to provide care,” Lagerquist noted.
“It was amazing and took teamwork to accomplish. Thank goodness we had an AED,” Dr. DeVries said. “The quicker you can get the heart rhythm back, the better it is for the patient.”
Importance of AEDs
After this incident, Dr. Myklejord said he firmly believes in the importance of having AEDs available in all public places.
“I want to emphasize how our Marshfield community is unique because everywhere you can find people that, in one way or another, are health care providers and know CPR,” he said. “For me, as anesthesiologist knowing how to deal with these medical emergencies, I feel lucky that I had the opportunity to apply skills I had outside the hospital to help bring about a good outcome for the coach.”
“At the time it took place I was scared,” Lagerquist said. “We train for these types of events but until you are a part of something like this you can’t imagine what it is like. Before, I hoped I would never need to use an AED, and now I hope I never have to use one again.”
