Quick CPR Response Saves Strathmere Man

STRATHMERE – Mayor Richard Palombo mentioned that Upper Township’s rescue personnel had responded to, and worked with, Strathmere Beach Patrol to save a cardiac arrest victim whose life was seriously threatened. He spoke at Upper Township Committee’s Aug. 14 meeting. 
Chief Jay Potter of Upper Township emergency management provided further clarification about the circumstances of the rescue. “The emergency medical tech from Upper Township EMS (Emergency Medical Services) assigned to the beach that day was Val McKim. The call had a positive outcome due to all the folks involved. The bystanders and family started CPR immediately with a rapid response from all the other responders and the AED (automated external defibrillator) being placed on the patient within minutes of the call,” he said.
Beach Patrol Capt. Bill Handley continued the explanation.
“The cardiac we responded to was not on the beach, but in the trailer park. The victim was returning from the beach with a stand-up paddle board. The only lifeguard there was me,” he stated.
“The medic was Val (McKim). Rescue personnel Ed Scanlon and Steve Nickelsburg were providing care to the victim as well. Val and I were conducting a test to determine the response time to calls on the beach on the south end by using the Whale Beach access path.
“This placed us very close to the location of the victim when the call came from central dispatch. We were able to provide quick defibrillation along with CPR. The victim was a 62-year old male whose family and witnesses were able to start CPR prior to our arrival.”
Warning to Bathers
Handley offered observations about the current state of the ocean as summer continues.
 “With regard to the ocean, we are getting into hurricane season. The surf is currently impacted by a hurricane out to sea. There are more systems developing in the tropics. This occurs every year and always presents opportunities for fun and danger.
“People looking to enjoy themselves at the ocean should be aware of the conditions and their own limitations. We always suggest swimming in protected areas and times and would suggest at the very least to utilize the buddy system to make sure all return to shore safely.
“We had a near miss today (Aug.17) when a couple went swimming early before our shift. One of the swimmers thought the other was missing. All were OK, but at least help was on its way due to the phone call.”
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.