Vietnam Veteran Thanks AED For Saving His Life

Meet Tom Young. A Vietnam Veteran, Tom is a husband, father and business man. He enjoys spending his free time coaching JV boy’s basketball and is very passionate about his team. His passion for sports coupled with an existing heart condition led him to make a promise to his wife that he would coach sitting down, from the bench. It was a frigid night in January 2006 when Tom was at a basketball game, coaching his team. With only four minutes remaining in the game Tom stood up to protest the referee’s call against one of his players. “It was a bad call” maintains Tom. Within moments and without warning he collapsed on the floor of the basketball court.

The game stopped and the gym fell silent.

Luckily for Tom, parents of his players were not shy about helping a stranger in need. A cardiac nurse from Walter Reed Medical Center happened to be in the stands that night—his son played on Tom’s team. The man ran down from the bleachers to help. Tom was not breathing and beginning to turn blue. He was in cardiac arrest. Another parent began to administer CPR. Someone called 911. Another called for an AED. But the AED, they were told, was with the girl’s basketball team at an away game that night.

Incredulously, another parent ran to the athletic office to double check. Luck was on Tom’s side that night—the girls’ team had forgotten the AED. The device was immediately rushed to Tom’s aid and its pads were placed on his chest. His rescuers followed the AED’s verbal directions. When it advised a shock, one was delivered. No response. A second shock was advised. Everyone waited, watching nervously, including Tom’s wife, as a second shock was delivered. It worked. Tom’s life was saved that day.

Tom continues coaching (from the bench) and has become a strong advocate for placing AEDs in schools and public facilities. He won’t pass up an opportunity to spread the word about AEDs. If Tom can help promote AED awareness, education, placement and training he considers it time well spent. We couldn’t agree with you more, Tom.