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NAVES Captain Christopher Imbrenda described the situation when a 28-year-old male was found unconscious at a gym in Kearny. By the time NAVES members arrived on the scene, Kearny police had already begun CPR. The patient was shocked twice but had not regained consciousness.
While being transported to Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, NAVES members continued treating the patient using the new AutoPulse device. Some of the members had just received training on the equipment that day.
The patient regained consciousness in the ambulance.
The AutoPulse is strapped onto a patient’s body and automatically performs CPR, by squeezing the thoracic (chest) cavity intermittently, freeing up paramedics to focus on other tasks.
During a recent borough council meeting, Roi Klipper from Zoll Medical demonstrated how the device worked, using a plastic model.
Imbrenda presented Life Saving Awards to the members of the team. He also thanked the mayor and council for allowing the purchase of the device earlier this year.
Members of NAVES spoke of the team effort to save a life that hung in the balance.
“I want to congratulate this crew,” said Council President Richard Hughes. “You obviously learned your lessons well.”
Councilman Brian Fitzhenry called the NAVES “untapped talent” and praised their humble, unselfish nature.
“They didn’t come here for a pat on the back,” Fitzhenry said. “They want what’s best for North Arlington and they work 24-hour shifts. It’s a privilege to work with them.”
Hughes reiterated the dedication and teamwork of the NAVES members.
“It’s been harder and harder to get people to volunteer,” he said, adding that volunteers and non-volunteers working together can sometimes be “a mixed bag and nothing but problems” but that this hasn’t been the case with NAVES. “They are constantly doing a tremendous job. They work tirelessly, they come in and do the job and they do it well.”
A second AutoPulse machine will soon be on its way for NAVES to put to use, which Councilwoman Allison Sheedy said will be a wise investment.
“I’m so happy about AutoPulse,” she said. “It’s worth it. When you see the life that was saved, you don’t even think about the dollar amount.”
The crew on the call was Lt. Ray Rousselle, Krystin Gussie, Andrew Badenhausen, and Manuel Sierra.
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