Trending Topics

‘Six Minutes to Live': Mini-documentary spotlights cardiac arrest care crisis

The Six Minutes to Live webinar will showcase a decades-long fight for better resuscitation care, followed by a panel discussion with experts on actionable life-saving steps

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The team behind the Six Minutes to Live movement will premiere an exclusive mini-documentary on March 18, 2025, at 1 p.m. through a Prodigy EMS webinar.

The film, produced by Adam K Studio, chronicles a decades-long effort to improve cardiac arrest care across the United States, sparked by a tragic loss.

The documentary highlights the 1999 death of 21-year-old Julia Rusinek in Washington, D.C., which became the foundation for USA Today journalist Bob Davis’ 2003 investigative series, Six Minutes to Live or Die. The three-part series exposed critical disparities in resuscitation care nationwide, igniting a movement for improved emergency response.

Prodigy EMS, a leading education and training platform for emergency medical services, is the founding sponsor of the Six Minutes to Live movement and is hosting the film’s debut as part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing EMS education.

“We are honored to support the Six Minutes to Live movement and bring this powerful story to the EMS community,” Prodigy EMS President and COO James DiClemente said. “This documentary is more than just a film; it’s a call to action. We hope to inspire real change in cardiac arrest care across the country. Every second counts, and by learning to care, measure, and act, we can save more lives.”

After the screening, a panel with Six Minutes to Live co-founders — journalist Bob Davis, Paramedic Hilary Gates and EMS Chief Tom Bouthillet — will discuss cardiac arrest care and share actionable steps to prevent needless deaths.

Trending
With volunteer numbers declining and emergency calls rising, Franklin County is expanding paid EMS staffing and launching creative recruitment efforts to keep up with demand
The benefits are numerous, but the startup can be daunting; become a meal-prepping pro with these top-rated solutions
An SUV crashed into a group of motorcyclists a Kalamazoo gas station injuring seven people and causing major damage
To address the care gap left by Nashoba Valley Medical Center’s closure, UMass Memorial Health plans to open a satellite emergency facility in Groton with input from EMS leaders

Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.