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Santa Ana Fireman's Son Saves Woman During Airport Layover
June 1, 2011
Santa Ana firefighter John Gammon recently found out that his son will have no problem filling his shoes.
The pair in May were instrumental in saving the life of a 33-year-old woman who went into cardiac arrest during a layover at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.
John’s son, Jordan, played a key role in keeping the woman alive by performing CPR compressions while the father searched the airport for an automatic external defibrillator.
Jordan, an aspiring firefighter who just finished an emergency medical technician course, had recently graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.
"I was impressed watching him,” the elder Gammon recalled in an OC Register article.
In pursuing a career as a firefighter, Jordan, 22, is not only following in his father’s footsteps but both of his grandfathers as well.
"I enjoy helping people,” he said.
As it turned out a doctor also awaiting a flight arrived to help. A single shock from the defibrillator restored the women’s pulse and she was transported to the hospital.
It is believed that stricken woman had a pre-existing condition that triggered the cardiac arrest when she ran to catch a flight. After undergoing open-heart surgery she appeared to be doing well.
Fire officials say quick response was key to saving the woman's life: CPR started within 30 seconds, the first shock within five minutes, and paramedics arriving within 10 minutes.
Ultimately, the real life incident reinforces the importance of CPR training and the use of automatic external defibrillators.
AEDs, as they are known, are available in many public gathering spaces, including all fire stations in Santa Ana, along with the city's police station and City Hall.
