SRFPD RELEASE
It was a regular day, at a regular San Ramon Valley Restaurant during what started out as a regular lunch hour, until the precise moment it all stopped being regular and became extraordinary.
Mark Sessler stopped at Ruggies restaurant on Sept. 29 to grab a quick lunch, when suddenly it all went dark. Unbeknownst to Mark, he was suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest.
Sitting in a nearby booth was Laura Garland, an off-duty neonatal nurse, who noticed that Mr. Sessler had lost consciousness and was slumped over at his table. Garland reacted immediately and began CPR.
Tracey Coulson, who works as a server at Ruggies, called 9-1-1 and stayed on the phone with San Ramon Valley Fire Dispatcher Polly Moniz until Paramedics arrived.
Garland continued providing CPR for a little under five minutes until San Ramon Valley Firefighters and Paramedics arrived on scene. Crews from Station 34 were able to defibrillate Mr. Sessler two times and return his heart to a normal rhythm.
“This is a perfect example of how bystanders can help save a life”, said Captain Andy Swartzell, Emergency Medical Services Coordinator for San Ramon Valley Fire.
“They kept Mr. Sessler’s heart pumping until our emergency personnel arrived and took over,” he said.
Chief Meyer credits many factors to the success of Mr. Sessler’s recovery, from the bystanders taking quick action in calling 9-1-1 and starting CPR, to the emergency medical dispatching protocol carried out by Moniz, to the highly skilled firefighters and paramedics who responded in under 5 minutes, and finally to the excellent care given at San Ramon Regional Medical Center.
“The willingness of the two bystanders to step up and take action during this emergency made all the difference in the successful outcome for this patient,” said Captain Jim Selover. “We encourage everyone to learn CPR and help during times of need.”
Sessler, Garland and Coulson will reunite with the San Ramon Valley Fire Captain Terry, Captain Selover, Engineers Mariolle and Balch, and Firefighter/Paramedics Stevenson and Rivers for a special presentation at the November San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Board of Director’s meeting Thursday, Nov. 21.
A special presentation will be made to all involved from the Board and representatives from the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association.
San Ramon Valley Fire is among the best in the nation when it comes to sudden cardiac arrest survival rates, said Fire Chief Paige Meyer.
The meeting will take place on Nov. 21, 7 p.m. The presentation will be early in the agenda. The meeting will be held at 1500 Bollinger Canyon Road.
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