|
Monday's Internet Edition, January 05, 2009.
RM physical therapist helps saves man’s life
|
Photo by Wendy Smith
Physical therapist Robert Asuncion and the team at Murieta Health Club put their emergency training to good use on Tuesday, Nov. 25 when a club member collapsed while working out.
|
By Wendy Smith
River Valley Times Staff
-
While physical therapist Robert Asuncion puts his training to use every day, it’s generally not the emergency response kind. But thankfully his training in CPR and first aid paid off when a man collapsed in the Murieta Health Club on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
With the help of other staff and club members, Asuncion was able to resuscitate the man (who is unidentified for privacy) and keep him breathing until the fire department could take over.
“I was in the physical therapy office when Lisa from the health club side noticed him collapse and ran over to have someone call 911" said Asuncion. "When I saw him I noticed that his breathing was very shallow and that he was turning colors.”
Shortly after the victim's breathing went from shallow to nonexistent, a club member, who is also a nurse, helped Asuncion administer CPR, along with shocking the man with the defibrillator.
“We put the pads in the correct places, and the machine lets you know when to push the button to administer the shock," Asuncion said. "We shocked him once and continued with CPR. The great thing about the technology is that it continues to monitor the person’s vitals and identify when another shock is needed.”
According to Asuncion, the man began to breathe after the first shock but only very shallowly, and with continued CPR the defibrillator recommended a second shock. “We continued CPR until the fire department arrived, which I’m sure wasn’t very long, but it felt like it was a long time in the moment,” said Asuncion.
The resident was transported by the fire department to UC Davis Medical Center. After undergoing serious treatment for his heart, the man is reported to be in stable condition. Asuncion said that both the fire department, the wife of the injured man and the man’s doctor largely credit his recovery - and his life - to the CPR and emergency treatment given at the health club.
“More than anything I am really proud of how the team at Murieta Health worked together. Everything from initial notification, to calling 911, to the administration of CPR went as it should have. Everyone remained calm, and we were able to truly help someone in need. It was really a collective effort,” said Asuncion.
A physical therapist for 10 years, two of those in Rancho Murieta, Asuncion said he enjoys the closeness of the people in the community. “You know everyone who comes in here. They become like another family, so when this happened it wasn’t like I was saving a stranger. I was able to help someone who I knew,” he said. Asuncion says that he hopes to continue to help people in the “wonderful community” of Rancho Murieta. He also said he enjoys the "great support network" that he has in his coworkers and the community members who frequent the club and physical therapy office.
|
Online publication, Copyright 2005, The River Valley Times.
Web page design,
Copyright 2005, EZ Edit Web Publishing.
|
|
| |