Alumna Saves a Life!

by Allan Miller, Alumni Supervisor | Nov 18, 2024 | Spotlight Articles

Roberta Fox’s heroic actions were celebrated with a Purple Merit Star presentation at the Royal Mountain refresher on October 24, 2024. She has retired from active patrolling but remains an OEC Instructor and Instructor Trainer. Her 50+ years of patrolling spanned five patrols in three regions. I am pleased and proud to be able to share her summary of the event with everyone.

“On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, I attended an event at The Highlands Community Center in Johnson City, NY, that ended at 6:30 p.m. We were waiting for our weekly walking group activity. At about 6:45 p.m. a resident came back and yelled at me to get the bag. I asked, “What bag–the AED?” She replied “Yes” and I grabbed the bag and headed to the parking lot. I asked if 911 had been called 911 and she replied, “Yes.”

“I went to the parking lot and found Raymond Bayer mostly in the passenger seat of his Subaru, slightly leaning toward the driver’s seat, where his wife was seated. He was not responding to her and had shallow breathing, a weak pulse, and ashen color. I opened the AED and got the pads asking someone to hold the AED. Ray is a large man; there was no way to get him out of the car and onto the pavement. I was concerned that I would not be able to do CPR and hoped the AED would properly function with positive results. At 76 I was the youngest there and the only one with CPR/AED training.

“Exposing his chest, I applied the pads and had my helper press the AED button. The analysis said that no shock was warranted. I did a sternum rub, with no response. I continued to monitor his breathing and pulse, which varied from strong to weak to unable to detect and back. The pulse varied from very fast to slow. I made certain that the pads had good contact.

“Another resident was on the phone with 911 relaying information and answering questions for the dispatcher who remained on the phone until the ambulance arrived.

“A second AED analysis advised shock and to stand clear. Shock was given with virtually no response. I did another sternum rub and continued to monitor his breathing and pulse. Again, no improvements. At times I was unable to detect a pulse or breathing. I checked to make certain the pads still had good contact. I was very concerned that I could not do CPR if necessary.

“The police department arrived and saw that I had applied the AED pads and did not interfere.

“The third AED analysis advised shock; stand clear. Shock was given and he immediately opened his eyes, raised his hands, and moved his head. He looked around and spoke. His pulse was strong.

“The fire department arrived with at least two people—one came to the vehicle with his bag, and I told him what I had done. He was surprised that the AED had shocked Ray twice but seemed very pleased that Ray was alert. I told him that I let the AED “do its thing.” He talked to Ray, who correctly answered all his questions, including his name. He repeatedly asked Ray if he had any heart, stroke, or diabetic history. Ray said no and his wife confirmed it. During the transfer of care, the town’s medical car arrived followed by the ambulance. After further checking and talking with Ray, including checking a pulse oximeter, they brought the gurney to the car. They helped Ray stand and had him sit on the gurney. I could see that his facial color was back to normal.

“I was asked how many times Ray was shocked. I repeated three analyses and two shocks. I was asked how much time was between the shocks—30 seconds or two minutes. I said the AED did the timing, so it was two minutes. Several of the responders said I had saved his life; I said it was the AED that did. The ambulance took the AED to the hospital so that they could try to download information. It was returned on Thursday.

“Before the ambulance left, I learned that Ray had the car and apartment keys in his pocket and his wife needed them. I asked one of the ambulance crew if he could get Ray’s keys. He opened the rear door and asked the person beside Ray to get his keys. Ray told the attendant they were in his right pocket.

“On Wednesday night, Thursday, and Friday, I had conversations with Ray’s daughter and his wife and was told that many of the doctors and nurses at the hospital said that without the AED, Ray would not be alive. Thursday morning his daughter told me that Ray did not have any incidents during the night, and they were continuing to do tests including echocardiograms and catheterization.

“During my Friday morning conversation with his wife, I asked her why she was in the driver’s seat since Ray always drives. She said that during the activity, he began to have a strange feeling in his left arm and some mild chest discomfort, but didn’t think anything of it. He checked his watch which monitors things and told her nothing was unusual. In the parking lot, he got in the driver’s seat. He told her he didn’t feel good and wanted to go to his doctor’s office. They switched seats. She said he was having trouble getting in. He slumped over and she yelled to a resident to call 911. That person came into the building telling me that I was needed.

“His wife said that the echocardiograms showed no muscle damage and that they were waiting for the catheterization. The medical team was leaning toward some kind of electrical incident.

“Friday evening, Ray’s wife told me that the catheterization showed his arteries were clear. He is in good spirits and eating well. Ray is 89 years young! His wife told me that he has apnea and has been told not to sleep for more than 15 minutes without his CPAP machine.”

“A defibrillator was implanted on Wednesday, July 24. Ray returned home on Thursday, July 25. Ray called on Tuesday, July 30, to thank me for everything.

“On Wednesday, July 31, Jim Morris with the Town of Union Ambulance, called for additional information about the incident. He said that he ran a printout from the AED that showed that two shocks were given. He said that the hospital staff and cardiologists could not believe that Ray had been shocked. He told them that he had the tape to prove it. The ambulance service had four other CPR calls that day but mine was the only one successful.”