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Training taken seriously helps save friends life

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Melba Koch
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) --  Major Todd Haifley has developed a new found respect for the automated external defibrillator after using one to save a friend's life.

Major Haifley's experience began Feb. 28.

"I coach and play on a men's hockey league in Kalamazoo, Michigan," he said. "While we were getting dressed for our game, one of my players collapsed right next to me in the locker room."

The major said it initially appeared the player was having a seizure but it very rapidly deteriorated into something much worse.

"He stopped breathing and I could not feel a pulse," said the Air Force Reserve pilot with the 507th Air Refueling Wing's 1st Aviation Standards Flight. "I had already told somebody to call 911 and to go find an AED. Shortly after I performed the first round of CPR the AED arrived and the guy handed it to me and asked if I knew how to use it."

An AED is a small, user-friendly electronic device that's able to diagnose potential heart attacks and treat a patient through defibrillation, electrical therapy, that stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm.

Fortunately, Major Haifley had received the training provided at his civilian job and training in Oklahoma City in the past year.

"I took it seriously but never thought that I would have to use it for real, " he said. 'It worked as advertised in this situation to a 'T'."

Major Haifley said he applied the pads just as the diagram showed and followed the instructions.

"I administered the first shock after the AED advised and continued CPR," he said. "After a couple more rounds of CPR, the AED once again analyzed and advised another shock which I gave. He then regained a rhythmic heart beat and regained consciousness."

Later, Major Haifley said he went to visit the player in the hospital.

"He had no history of heart condition, and was in OK shape for a 52-year-old," he said. "The cardiologist did a heart (catheterization) and said that he had two complete blockages. The doctor added that he had never seen (a patient with) blockages in this area and live after the attack. The doctor put in two stints and expected a full recovery. He said all the stars were lined up for him that day and that the swift action and the use of the AED, without a doubt, saved his life. He called this kind of heart attack the 'sudden death syndrome' type that he has, until now, never seen anybody live through."

The major stressed the importance of the AED and encouraged others to take advantages of AED and CPR training opportunities.

"These devices are extremely important," he said. "I can't thank these individual enough for the very informative training I received on this equipment and for my CPR certification."