Currituck County Fire-EMS responded to 49 year old male in cardiac arrest near the bath house ramp on Saturday, June 15 at 1:37 p.m., according to a press release.

The patient was swimming in the ocean at the time of his cardiac arrest and was removed from the water by Corolla Beach Rescue lifeguards, who immediately started CPR and placed their A.E.D. (automatic external defibrillator) on the patient.

When Currituck County Fire-EMS personnel arrived, they immediately administered advance life support emergency treatment on the beach. After 17 minutes of resuscitation, the patient’s pulses returned. He was airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital by Dare County MedFlight air ambulance.

Currituck Fire-EMS reports that the patient’s condition steadily improved at Norfolk General and he was discharged on Tuesday, June 18.

The patient, who is a visitor from Maryland, is planning on meeting the rescue crews and lifeguards on Friday, June 21 morning on the beach at the Bath House ramp in Corolla before returning home.

This is the second person saved from a cardiac arrest event in Corolla this year. The first occurred on May 25 at 6:12 p.m. A 37 year old male from New York went unconscious in the ocean. The man’s fiancé and bystanders removed him from the ocean and started CPR until Currituck County Fire-EMS arrived and started advanced life support for 15 minutes. The patient was discharged to home five days after his cardiac arrest.

“Currituck County is extremely proud of these accomplishments,” continued the release. Since May 12, 2018, “five out 13 people have survived out of hospital cardiac arrest while vacationing in Corolla, a 38% success rate. This rate is 30% better than the national average.”

Currituck County Fire-EMS credits the quick response time and having proper first responder staffing. Both fire engines staffed in the Corolla Fire District are state certified A.L.S. equipped paramedic fire engines. They also give credit to the collaboration from the Currituck 911 center, Corolla Beach Rescue, Corolla Volunteer Fire Department, Currituck County Fire-EMS, Sheriff’s Office and Nightingale Air Ambulance.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS AND EVENTS HERE.

RECENT HEADLINES:

Planner sends letter about Waterfall Park

Teen arrested in Moyock knife assault