Bystanders, EMS and Mountain View cath lab honored after soccer-field cardiac arrest

At its Feb. 12 meeting, the Utah County Commission recognized bystanders, Spanish Fork Fire & EMS personnel and Mountain View Hospital staff for saving a man who collapsed while playing soccer at the Shooter Soccer Complex on Nov. 2.

Chief Eddie Hales of Spanish Fork Fire and EMS introduced the group and said seven people were involved in the response, naming Rob Zafra, Sebastian Poblete, James Bridal, Chad Nichols, Scott Abbott, Paul Kane and Cody Reynolds as bystanders who began CPR and used an on-site AED before Fire and EMS arrived. Chris Shields, director of EMS relations for healthcare in Utah County, told the commission that by the time paramedic Anne Dearden and AEMT Morgan Carter arrived, the patient had a pulse and was later taken to Mountain View Hospital in Payson, where interventional cardiology placed two stents.

The presentation highlighted the chain of survival: prompt 911 activation, immediate bystander CPR and early defibrillation. “Every minute without these interventions decreases a person's chance of survival by 7 percent to 10 percent, making early action absolutely critical,” Shields said. She credited dispatchers, EMS responders and the hospital cath lab team with helping the patient walk out of the hospital after treatment.

Mountain View communications director Nate Black and several hospital staff joined the commission to recognize the bystanders and the EMS crew. Spanish Fork presented plaques and challenge coins; community partners including One Kind Act Today handed out “kindness” coins and certificates.

The patient was not able to attend. Commissioners and presenters used the recognition to remind the public that community training in CPR and AED use saves lives and to thank the many agencies and volunteers involved in the multi-agency response.