Three Maryland clinicians are being credited with saving a man’s life who went into sudden cardiac arrest on Jan. 15 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
“Without early high-quality CPR and early defibrillation, patients in cardiac arrest do not fare well for making a full recovery. The actions of everyone involved saved this man’s life,” Vito Maggiolo, public information officer for DC Fire and EMS said.
The first responders were attending the Washington Capitals vs. San Jose Sharks hockey game as part of the arena’s First Responder Appreciation Night.
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Allegany County Department of Emergency Services EMS Division Sgt. Jason Wolf; Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services Firefighter/EMT Ryan Pittinger; and Metro Washington Airport Authority Fire Department and Williamsport Vol. Fire and EMS Firefighter/Paramedic Chris Amos were part of the life-saving team. Two other first responders also assisted.
Dr. Timothy Chizmar, Maryland State EMS medical director, commended the clinicians “They quickly recognized a person who was in cardiac arrest, initiated CPR and applied a public-access AED,” Chizmar said. “Their quick actions went above and beyond — and restored the patient’s pulse. This case underscores the importance of timely action and CPR/AED training. Immediate CPR and defibrillation may double or triple a patient’s chances of survival.”
Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services Chief Thomas Coe echoed Chizmar’s statement.
“Our first responders never really consider themselves off duty regardless of their location. I am very proud of Firefighter Pittinger for his immediate engagement, without hesitation, to help a citizen in their most desperate time of need. He, as well as the other responders who stepped forward that night at the Capitals game, represent the best of the best of first responders. They are always willing to lend a hand, regardless of their location or the situation,” Coe said.
A crisis in the crowd
Wolf said that a delay out of the Metro caused him and his family to be late getting to the arena. His friends and coworkers were already in their seats on the fourth floor.
After passing through security and the front corridor, Wolf’s oldest daughter pointed out to his wife, also a paramedic and registered nurse, a person who had collapsed in the middle of the walkway.
“As I approached, the patient’s wife, who is a nurse, began doing chest compressions,” Wolf said. “The male was gray, had agonal respirations and did not have a pulse.”
Wolf told his wife to find an AED.
“I took over compressions from the victim’s wife,” Wolf said.
Wolf, a firefighter/paramedic in Allegany County for 19 years, was joined by Pittinger and Amos.
Off-duty, but never off alert
Pittinger has worked for Frederick County for 8 years and is currently assigned to their Myersville Station, Coe said.
Amos is a six-year veteran to MWAA and has been a firefighter/EMT since his late teenage years, recently graduating from the Washington County Public Safety Training Center Paramedic Program in July.
“I wasn’t really thinking,” Amos said. “It was just natural to gravitate towards a situation as this, being a new medic. I also believe that everyone else that was involved didn’t have to think about jumping in to help, but just naturally swept in to fill a role in the effort.”
Why public AEDs and CPR matter
DC Fire and EMS is a strong proponent of citizen accessible AEDS, according to Maggiolo.
“This incident is a stark reminder that cardiac arrest can happen anywhere. Because of immediate CPR and early defibrillation, this individual was given a fighting chance,” Allegany County Emergency Services Local 1715 Union President Steven Corioni said. “We are proud of Sgt. Wolf and all the bystanders involved, for acting without hesitation, and we hope this highlights how critical bystander CPR and access to AEDs truly are.”
Wolf said that the clinicians delivered one shock with the on-site AED before DC Fire and EMS arrived on the scene. Maggiolo added the 911 call was dispatched at 6:48 p.m., with DC Fire and EMS arriving at the patient’s side by 6:54.
“This event was an excellent example of teamwork from providers who have never met one another, and it very strongly emphasizes the importance of public AEDs and public education in CPR and first aid,” Wolf said.
Allegany County Department of Emergency Services Chief Michael Salvadge said that he was not surprised by Wolf’s actions.
“Wolf brings that to every shift he works ... on critical calls he is working with the crew, using down time to teach and educate other clinicians. Constant interagency training helps us integrate with systems across the state,” Salvadge said.
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