On Sunday just before midnight, a 30-year-old man suffered a cardiac arrest in his house in Bnei Brak. His relatives immediately alerted emergency services.
United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Aharon Lerer was about to go to bed when his communications device beeped, notifying him about the emergency. Aharon swiftly put on his shoes and a sweater before hurrying to his car and driving to the scene. He arrived at the apartment in under 90 seconds. Another first responder had just arrived and began a rapid check-up of the man. The father of four was pulseless and not breathing.
Aharon quickly initiated CPR, performing chest compressions on the young father, while the other EMT attached his defibrillator. After administering the first electric shock, a mobile intensive care crew arrived at the scene.
“The cooperation between all first responders at the scene was excellent,” recalled Aharon after the incident. “We continued with five more rounds of shocks and chest compressions while the paramedic administered medication to the patient. We worked in the field for about 25 minutes until he was transported to the hospital, still undergoing resuscitation efforts.”
Aharon stayed with the family to provide support to the man”s wife and mother until members of the Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit arrived to treat them for emotional and psychological shock and stay with them to help them process what had just happened.
“While I was there, we were told that our efforts had paid off and that the man had regained his pulse in the ambulance on the way to the hospital,” Aharon recounted later on. “The sense of relief in the room was palpable. It is extremely fulfilling to be able to help people. The simple act of saving lives is extraordinary. Moments like this are the reason I decided to volunteer with United Hatzalah seven years ago.”