North Strabane heart attack victim meets rescuers
After a cocktail of drugs and a 10-day hospital stay, Larry Sandy doesn’t remember suffering the heart attack. The 70-year-old doesn’t remember the six people who saved his life that June afternoon when he called 911 and collapsed. The first responders worked on resuscitating Sandy for 30 minutes, and he had no pulse for the first 15.
Canonsburg Hospital on Friday recognized the men’s diligent efforts to bring the North Strabane Township resident back from death. And Sandy was there to thank them.
“They did an amazing job. He was gone, and they brought him back,” said Larry’s wife, Barbara Sandy.
North Strabane firefighters Dante Sicchitano and Glenn Eger were first to arrive at the Surrey Woods Drive home on June 13, responding to a report of a man in a cold sweat with chest pains.
“We found Mr. Sandy sitting in a chair, no pulse, not breathing and started work right away,” Eger said. The two men started what would be a cardiopulmonary rotation that would ultimately save Sandy’s life.
The four paramedics who arrived shortly thereafter also didn’t give up.
“We didn’t think we were going to be able to save him at first,” said Canonsburg Ambulance paramedic Josh Critchfield.
“Everybody’s alive until we get to the hospital and there’s nothing left we can do. We’re not giving up until there’s absolutely no chance,” said paramedic Steve Carson.
“We can’t just stop. We weren’t at the point where we were totally exhausted,” added paramedic Glenn Moore. “We worked as a team and kept someone fresh working on him. There were signs of life right before we arrived on scene. You can’t stop, ever, and not hope or expect for an outcome like this.
“We hardly ever get reunited with a patient who has a successful recovery. Our job usually ends when we drop them off at the hospital.”
“This is why we do what we do,” Carson said, “and words can’t really put it in perspective meeting someone whose life you changed like this.” Paramedic Daniel Harvey was also on the call and at Friday’s event, where the men were recognized and given certificates from Allegheny Health Network.
Larry Sandy was taken to Canonsburg Hospital and ultimately flown to Allegheny General Hospital for intensive treatment. Despite not remembering what transpired that day, Sandy is thankful.
“Nine years ago, I got surgery for blood clots in my heart, and I have artrial fibrillations, but I never had a problem until that day. It’s like I’m meeting them for the first time, because I don’t recognize the EMTs. But I’m extremely thankful. It’s good to see them,” Sandy said.