Quick response and timely delivery of CPR are crucial elements in saving a life. Immediate delivery of life-saving measures can significantly improve the chances of survival. A doctor driving by the Edmonton Marathon on Sunday rushed to assist a man who collapsed and ceases to breathe just blocks away from the finish line.
The man was resuscitated by Dr. Tamara Kuzma who rushed from her vehicle to assist a police officer and administer CPR. According to a spokesperson at Alberta Health Services and race organizers, they did not have any information on the status of the man who collapsed.
Unforeseen crisis
According to a witness, Courtney Repchinsky, the man was running toward the finish line of the half-marathon when he collapsed on the road face first. She was watching the race from the corner.
Kuzma was in her vehicle waiting to cross Jasper Avenue when she saw the man in his 20s lying on the ground. There was a police officer attempting to help the man. When the man did not show any signs of movement for about 15 seconds, she decided to help.
Time to act
Kuzma is a doctor in Saskatoon. She shared that the man was not responding so she and the police officer checked his pulse and initially detected a heartbeat. Sadly, he was still motionless, so they checked again, and this time he stopped breathing. Kuzma quickly started CPR for 30 seconds until his breathing was restored. The police officer called for an ambulance.
Upon the arrival of the emergency team, they took over the situation. The man was loaded on a stretcher and transported to a healthcare facility for further care.
Without the quick effort of Kuzma and the police officer, the outcome of the ordeal would have been a different one.
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For more information, check out these sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/first-aid/cpr
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiopulmonary_resuscitation
https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cpr/basics/art-20056600