The automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) both Kaua’i police and fire crews now use were in action this past weekend. In Waipouli early Sunday morning, a 50-year-old male resident with a history of heart problems and diabetes came out of full
The automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) both Kaua’i police and fire crews now use were in action this past weekend.
In Waipouli early Sunday morning, a 50-year-old male resident with a history of heart problems and diabetes came out of full cardiac arrest after Kapa’a firefighters shocked him with an AED, said Bob Kaden, Kaua’i Fire Department battalion chief.
His son did the right thing, Kaden said, beginning CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) after dialing 9-1-1 after being awakened by the sound of his father hitting the floor.
Firefighters from the Kapa’a station got to the home in four minutes, and by the time paramedics arrived five minutes later, the Kapa’a firefighters using the AED were successful in restoring the victim’s pulse.
The man was taken to Wilcox Hospital, treated and released, and is doing fine, Kaden said.
On Saturday morning, Koloa firefighters got a call about a 34-year-old visitor laying nearly lifeless on the bedroom floor of his rental unit.
Firefighters found him in full arrest, with shallow breath sounds, unresponsive and with no pulse, when they arrived two minutes after receiving the call, Kaden said.
The AED was applied, but the machine, which makes the shock/no-shock calls, decided not to shock the victim.
Paramedics and firefighters continued to work on the victim, and 24 minutes after the emergency call came in a spontaneous pulse returned, Kaden said.
On Monday the victim still couldn’t talk, but has shown signs of responsiveness to relatives who have come to the island after receiving word of his condition.
There were indications that the young age of the victim could aid in an eventual full recovery.
Firefighters late Monday afternoon were again called onto the Kalalau Trail about a half-mile from its beginning at Ha’ena State Park, where a 72-year-old female visitor apparently turned her ankle.
For this rescue, however, the helicopter wasn’t summoned, Kaden said. A crew from the Princeville fire station took to the trail with the intent of carrying her back to the trail head.
