Quick Actions Of Emergency Responders Save Men From Certain Death

Two Levittown-area residents have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season.

A group of emergency responders were recognized earlier this week before the Board of Supervisors for their life-saving efforts during two cardiac emergencies earlier this fall in Middletown.

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“The fact that we have two people that had a cardiac arrest in October and are here to talk to us today, be here with their family and loved ones is nothing short on a miracle,” Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad Medical Director Dr. Gerald Wydro said.

James Meade was standing outside a Middletown pet supply store with his pooch while his girlfriend made a purchase inside when he collapsed on October 7. He didn’t feel sick or have any warning signs – he just collapsed.

The 56-year-old Bristol Township resident was on the ground suffering sudden cardiac arrest when bystanders and staff from a nearby urgent care center rushed over to help him. Medics were called and staff from the urgent care center grabbed an automated external defibrillator, beginning efforts to save Meade’s life.

Medics from the Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad arrived and to find a resuscitated Meade. They loaded him into an ambulance and rushed him to the hospital.

“They were fantastic,” Meade said of his lifesavers.

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Penndel-Middletown Emergency Squad Chief Andrew Foley recognized nurse practitioner Rebecca MacAdams, physician assistant Eric Stoltz, medical assistant Amy Marquette and x-ray technician Amanda Gallaway from the urgent care center. Penndel-Middletown medics Ryan Packer, Tom Evans, Anderson Rayme and Zac Cooperman were also recognized.

For Scott Elborn, the afternoon of October 15 was just another day. He was out back at his Middletown home raking leaves when he started to feel sick and became sweaty. He was nauseous and went inside, where his stepson noticed something was up and decided to take him to the hospital. Before they could lave, Elborn collapsed face first and went into cardiac arrest.

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Elborn’s stepson called 9-1-1 and dispatcher James Sheppard recognized the 60 year old was in cardiac arrest. Sheppard instructed Elborn’s stepson to perform CPR until emergency responders showed up.

“This recognition and instruction was a key part of the chain of survival,” Foley said of Sheppard’s work.

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Elborn, who eats healthy and has worked out for 45 years, survived due to the quick-actions on October 15 and was back in the gym a week later. Although his workout is slightly reduced, he hopes to get back to his previous workout after his brush with death.

“What I had is what they call a widowmaker,” he said.

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Along with Sheppard, William Penn Fire Company members John Diegel, Bill Wheeler, Tom Wheeler, Bill Ruppert, Andrew Boyle Jr., Jim Bampfield and Drew Russo played a part in saving Elborn’s life. Medics James Glessner, Ryan Packer and Deputy Chief Tim Wert also received recognition.

Across the United States, sudden cardiac arrest impacts 350,000 people of all ages every year. Nine out of 10 victims die from the sudden condition, according to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation.

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A quick response by medics, use of a defibrillator and CPR can change outcomes for victims of sudden cardiac arrest.