David Paschal is a retired electrician, so he is well-versed in electrical currents. He did everything he could to prevent the terrible feeling of being shocked, especially since it also carried the possibility of being electrocuted.
So it stands to reason that on May 10, 2017, he didn't enjoy it when emergency personnel kept shocking his heart on the way to Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital.
All 14 of the shocks were necessary for Paschal.
The 66-year-old Paschal had been assisting a crew with tree pruning earlier that day at his Pawleys Island, South Carolina, property.
He recently employed some young men to do some pruning because he was attempting to keep up with the younger crowd. When arm and chest discomfort started, he was dragging branches to the road. He determined that he needed to visit his doctor right away. Though he didn't know him well, Paschal sought the assistance of his new doctor.
I'm having a heart attack, Pascale stepped in and told the receptionist.
Then he immediately collapsed onto the sofa. The office staff rushed Dr. R. Andrew Philipp II from an examining room to Paschal’s aid.
He did a pulse check, and there was no pulse, he was not breathing. Paschal's pulse returned once Philipp began performing CPR, but his heart was unable to maintain a normal rhythm. He had ventricular fibrillation, a potentially fatal heart rhythm in which the lower heart chambers flutter and the heart stops.
Philipp shocked the patient's heart into a normal rhythm using an AED, or automatic external defibrillator.
If David hadn't been at home and Dr. Philipp hadn't started CPR, there would have been no time to spare.
Call 911, then push firmly and quickly in the center of the chest, preferably to the beat of the popular disco song "Stayin' Alive," until aid arrives. About 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home, which is why it's crucial for everyone to know Hands-Only CPR.
The American Heart Association has started a new campaign that emphasizes the significance of bystanders being prepared to act during CPR Week (June 1–7). Although it's normal to feel anxious or terrified, your decision to act or not to act could save a life.
It was quite upsetting to witness someone you'd worked hard to keep healthy pass away in his office, he admitted.
Philipp is still in awe at Paschal's ability to withstand 14 shocks.
He stated, "It's a testament to the (CPR) principles." Good outcomes are possible if you receive care promptly.
That positive outcome is a miracle in Paschal's eyes. He then had cardiac rehabilitation for 13 weeks.
Gail Paschal remarked, "They really brought him back in fantastic shape."
Both Paschal and Paschal praise Philipp and his team for acting promptly and emphasize the value of CPR.
Gail Paschal stated, "I think it's a great CPR lesson. They accomplished their tasks despite the lack of time."
Paschal doesn’t do a lot of yard work these days. Instead, he likes to spend time on the fairways of surrounding golf courses.
“I’m not doing a whole lot of work,” he remarked. “But I’m sure enjoying life.”