ZOLL AED 3 Review

When I read the stories SCA survivors tell, I am struck by their intensity. They send strong emotional messages about their perspective on life after becoming victims of SCA, and most of them show newly gained determination to live the rest of their lives with awareness and intention. What they have to say reminds me of a few times in my own life when it seemed that life as I knew it might be taken from me. In these moments I was aware that, by some sudden event, the good life I was living was being threatened in a way that could change it forever, if not end it. These frightful life events stand out vividly in my memory, and at the same time strangely illuminate outstanding positive events in my life. So in some measure I think I understand what the SCA victim-survivor is experiencing after recovery. The intensity of surviving an SCA event has a powerful effect on a person. As a result, survivors have things to say that carry with them an important life lesson: “Live aware, and act with intent!” 

But survivor Tessmarie says it better: “My life was taken away so I could take it back!” The titles survivors give their stories are powerful in themselves, awakening us out of any humdrum path our everyday lives may be following and at the same time making us thankful for all of the good and trouble-free days we may enjoy. Tess, a healthy athletic young woman, tells 

how the death of her long-time canine companion, “mr. Big”, may have literally broken her own heart.. Three days later Tess nearly died of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. In great detail she tells the story of her “broken heart”, then emphasizes the major events and people of her life in dramatic fashion, single-sentence paragraphs one after another. “Every second counts”, says Tess. It is very stirring to read. 

Karen describes her life after nearly losing her husband to SCA as “A new journey but learningeach day”.  She is still walking through the scary period which follows for an SCA survivor and family, who are put on edge wondering if and how life will go on for them. Wednesday nights when her husband snores are still especially hard for her since this is the time of the week and the scenario when her husband had to be airlifted to a special heart hospital hours away. In spite of the heaviness of this post-SCA period of her life, at the end of her story she declares, “So much to be thankful for. Learning each day.” 

Lauren’s story of her dad’s Sudden Cardiac Arrest did not end happily. She lost her Dad to SCA a number of years ago. She has, however, chosen victory over her loss by pursuing a career as a cardiologist. Paramedics took my dad away, and I prayed he would come back home. My next clear memory is standing outside the hospital, hearing my grandpa tell me that my dad didn’t make it. 

Steven experienced the joy of helping to save his dad by performing CPR. He is going on to develop technological solutions for people with serious medical conditions. 3 paramedics eventually rushed in and tried to resuscitate him for another 4. They shocked him 7 times. All those numbers simply said “no.” 

I am not an SCA survivor. The closest I ever came to an SCA event was assisting a team trainer in giving CPR and AED to a spectator at a school event (who thankfully survived). I was first introduced to first aid through classes routinely required for my job as a teacher, but it very naturally became a personal interest. SCA is one of the most dramatic life-and-death events a first-aider may encounter, and experiencing an SCA rescue brought me a desire to be more accomplished in first aid generally, but specifically to become as knowledgeable, ready, and able with CPR and AED use as I could. 

Reading the stories of survivors and their families has added to that desire, though. It has touched my heart, my spirit, with understanding of and compassion for those who have gone through this unusual, life-changing event called SCA. Whatever the outcome for the victim, life will never be the same for them or their family. I have decided that, given the opportunity to talk with those who are going through life in the wake of an SCA, I will be a patient and sympathetic listener and help as much as I can, even after the initial moment of crisis has passed. I will live aware and with intent and keep learning, because every second counts.