“With our continued funding for up-to-date training, we are able to keep our members fully trained in CPR and First Aid. In July of 2020, my partner and I were providing coverage for the Stock Car Races in Lansing, MN, in case there was a need for First Aid. Towards the end of the night, frantic spectators and employees began running towards our truck crying and screaming for help. As I grabbed our emergency response bag and AED and ran towards the grandstands, I noticed in the darkness an individual lying on the ground with bystanders performing CPR.

When I got to the Patients side, I noticed that the individual was not breathing and did not have a pulse. I advised the bystander to continue with CPR, while my partner placed the AED pads on the patient’s chest. After the AED completed analyzing for heart rhythm, the AED stated Shock advised, a shock was then administered with the AED. I then took over with chest compressions for 2 minutes. The AED again analyzed the heart rhythm, with another shock advised. A second shock was delivered to the patient, with CPR continued after the shock. My partner then began CPR, after about the fourth compression of the chest the patient reached up and grabbed her arm.
​CPR was then stopped, and patient was then checked for a pulse, with a faint pulse the patient was starting to breath on his own and was becoming more alert. By the time the ambulance and officers arrived on scene, the patient was alert and trying to speak. The patient was then transported to Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Austin and flown to Saint Mary's in Rochester. The patient was given an implanted pacemaker and was released from the hospital four days later and was back out the race track that Friday night. 
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Brandon (Adams Area Ambulance Service) on right with Cardiac Arrest survivor on left.
​When we were notified by the track owners the next Friday, the patient would like to talk to us when we got a chance. The sensation of excitement and nervousness was almost overwhelming. When we began speaking with him and his wife, you could almost see the light bulb light up as he realized who we were. He jumped out of the passenger side of his van and gave me a big hug and said thank you. Just that small little thank you, makes all our ongoing training worth it. He asked for a picture and said that he wants to hang it up in his office.”
-Adams Area Ambulance Service

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