Cardiac Survivor Saved by CPR: Emma's Story

American Heart Association - Midwest Region

29 Sept 201707:13

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe script recounts a harrowing tale of a 13-year-old girl, Emma, who experiences sudden cardiac arrest during a school spelling bee. Her mother, who was away on a business trip, endures a heart-wrenching ordeal as she races to be by her daughter's side. Miraculously, Emma survives due to immediate CPR and the dedication of the medical team. The family's journey highlights the importance of CPR knowledge and the impact of the American Heart Association, leading them to become advocates for heart health and CPR education.

Takeaways

💔 The narrator experienced a life and death event at the age of 13, where they actually died and were revived.
👩‍🎓 The incident occurred while the narrator's daughter was participating in a spelling bee at her middle school.
📸 The narrator received a selfie and text from her daughter just minutes before the cardiac arrest.
🚨 The school administrator informed the narrator about the medical emergency, leading to feelings of helplessness and terror.
🚑 Paramedics found 13-year-old Emma Baker in cardiac arrest on the library floor and had already started CPR.
🏥 After 45 minutes, Emma's heart was restarted, but the family was warned about potential internal organ damage.
🧠 Emma suffered no brain damage thanks to immediate and correct CPR from people around her.
🩺 Emma's heart condition was identified as Catamorphic Polymorphic Tachycardia (CPVT), which is triggered by adrenaline.
🏥 The family faced a difficult time as Emma was in a medically induced coma and struggled to regain consciousness.
🙏 The doctors prepared Emma for a flight, with numerous IVs and medications to stabilize her condition.
🌟 Emma survived the ordeal and was discharged from the hospital with a defibrillator, ready to start life anew.

Q & A

What was the age of the individual when they had a life and death experience?
-The individual was 13 years old when they had the life and death experience.
What event was the daughter participating in when the incident occurred?
-The daughter was participating in a spelling bee for her middle school when the incident occurred.
Where was the parent when they received the initial text and selfie from their daughter?
-The parent was in Atlanta, Georgia for work when they received the initial text and selfie from their daughter.
What was the medical emergency that the daughter experienced?
-The daughter experienced a cardiac arrest and collapsed.
How long did it take for the daughter's heart to start again after the cardiac arrest?
-It took 45 minutes for the daughter's heart to start again after the cardiac arrest.
What was the condition that the daughter was diagnosed with after the incident?
-The daughter was diagnosed with Catamorphic Polymorphic Tachycardia, abbreviated as CPVT.
What triggered the daughter's heart condition?
-The daughter's heart condition was triggered by adrenaline and drama.
How did the quick response of CPR affect the daughter's outcome?
-The quick and correct response of CPR prevented brain damage, as it was done right at the moment it happened.
What did the family do to give back after the daughter's recovery?
-The family volunteered their time to the American Heart Association, teaching people CPR.
What was the emotional state of the parent when they first saw their daughter in the hospital?
-The parent felt a mix of fear, helplessness, and terror, praying that the sight of their daughter in a critical condition would not be their last memory of her.
What was the turning point for the daughter's condition in the hospital?
-The turning point was when the doctor announced that the daughter was going to be okay, which brought immense relief and gratitude to the family.

Outlines

00:00

😢 Life and Death Experience

The first paragraph narrates a harrowing life and death experience of a 13-year-old girl, Emma Baker. The speaker recounts receiving a selfie from her daughter while she was out of town for work. Shortly after, she gets a distressing call about her daughter's medical emergency at a spelling bee. The school administrator's questions about Emma's medical history reveal she had no known conditions. The speaker describes the panic and helplessness upon learning Emma's heart had stopped, and the relief when she was informed it had restarted after 45 minutes. The paragraph ends with the speaker's reflection on the fragility of life and the preciousness of her daughter's survival.

05:01

💪 Overcoming CPVT with CPR

The second paragraph details Emma's recovery and the revelation of her heart condition, Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT), a rare disease that causes心律失常 upon adrenaline release. The speaker emphasizes the importance of CPR in saving Emma's life and the family's subsequent dedication to volunteering with the American Heart Association to promote CPR education. The paragraph concludes with Emma's commitment to living a full life after receiving a second chance, highlighting the impact of the American Heart Association and the power of CPR in saving lives.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Life and death experience

A life and death experience refers to a situation where an individual faces a critical event that brings them to the brink of death but ultimately survives. In the context of the video, the narrator's daughter, Emma, experiences cardiac arrest during a spelling bee, which leads to a life and death situation as she is resuscitated and survives.

💡Medical distress

Medical distress refers to a state of severe or critical illness or injury that requires immediate medical attention. In the video, Emma goes into cardiac arrest, which is a serious medical emergency, and her condition is described as medical distress.

💡Cardiac arrest

Cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of heart function, where the heart stops beating effectively, preventing blood from being pumped to the brain and other vital organs. In the video, Emma experiences cardiac arrest during a school event, which is the central event around which the story revolves.

💡CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

CPR is an emergency procedure performed to restore blood circulation and breathing in someone who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped beating. In the video, CPR is crucial in saving Emma's life as it is performed immediately after her cardiac arrest.

💡Defibrillator

A defibrillator is a medical device that delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm in cases of cardiac arrest. In the video, the use of a defibrillator is mentioned as part of the emergency response to Emma's cardiac arrest.

💡Hypothermic state

A hypothermic state refers to a condition where the body's core temperature is lowered below the normal range, often as a medical intervention to reduce metabolic demands and protect vital organs. In the video, Emma is intentionally cooled to a hypothermic state as part of her post-cardiac arrest care.

💡Medically induced coma

A medically induced coma is a state of unconsciousness that is intentionally induced by administering medications to a patient with severe injuries or illnesses, allowing the body to rest and heal. In the video, Emma is placed in a medically induced coma following her cardiac arrest to aid in her recovery.

💡Internal organ damage

Internal organ damage refers to harm or injury to any of the body's internal organs, which can occur as a result of various conditions, including cardiac arrest. In the video, the family is warned about the risk of internal organ damage due to the prolonged lack of a heartbeat.

💡American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting cardiovascular disease and stroke, and it plays a significant role in promoting heart health, including CPR training and education. In the video, the family volunteers with the American Heart Association to teach CPR, highlighting the importance of this skill in saving lives.

💡CPVT (Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia)

CPVT, or Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia, is a rare genetic heart rhythm disorder that can cause sudden cardiac arrest, especially during times of stress or physical exertion. In the video, Emma is diagnosed with CPVT, which explains her cardiac arrest during the spelling bee.

💡Second chance at life

A second chance at life refers to an opportunity to live one's life again after a near-death experience or a significant life-altering event. In the video, Emma's survival and recovery from cardiac arrest are described as receiving a second chance at life, emphasizing the resilience and hope that come from such experiences.

Highlights

A 13-year-old girl experiences a life and death event, having a cardiac arrest and technically dying before being revived.

The girl's mother receives a distressing call about her daughter while being out of town for work, highlighting the importance of immediate medical attention in emergencies.

A fellow student at the spelling bee witnesses the girl collapse and the initial panic and confusion during such an unexpected event.

First responders find the girl without a pulse, and CPR had already started, emphasizing the critical role of bystander intervention.

The mother's feelings of helplessness and terror during this crisis, illustrating the emotional toll on families during medical emergencies.

The girl's heart starts beating again after 45 minutes, a testament to the persistence of medical staff and the fragility of life.

The family's rush to be by the girl's side, showcasing the urgency and fear in such situations.

The girl is prepared for a medical flight with numerous IVs and medications, highlighting the intensive care required in such cases.

The mother's instinctive act of warming her daughter by putting her socks on her, a touching display of parental love and care.

The girl's heart condition is identified as Catamorphic Polymorphic Tachycardia (CPVT), a rare and life-threatening condition.

Despite her heart looking perfect, the girl's condition is triggered by adrenaline, leading to a dangerous heart rhythm.

The quick and correct administration of CPR prevents brain damage, underscoring the importance of CPR knowledge.

The family's commitment to volunteering with the American Heart Association to teach CPR, showing their dedication to preventing similar tragedies.

The power of the American Heart Association and CPR in saving lives, as experienced by the girl and her family.

The girl's determination to live her second chance at life well, reflecting resilience and gratitude.

The transcript ends with a series of camera shutter clicks and hopeful instrumental music, symbolizing the positive outcome and the continuation of life.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

CPR Training from the American Heart Association

CPR Survivor Story: John Holschuh "A Force to be Reckoned With"

Caden Cherry – An SCA Survivor Story

CPR tips and the numbers you need to know for heart health

Hands-only CPR: What you need to know

What Happens When You Are Dying

Cardiac Survivor Saved by CPR: Emma's Story

Takeaways

Q & A

What was the age of the individual when they had a life and death experience?

What event was the daughter participating in when the incident occurred?

Where was the parent when they received the initial text and selfie from their daughter?

What was the medical emergency that the daughter experienced?

How long did it take for the daughter's heart to start again after the cardiac arrest?

What was the condition that the daughter was diagnosed with after the incident?

What triggered the daughter's heart condition?

How did the quick response of CPR affect the daughter's outcome?

What did the family do to give back after the daughter's recovery?

What was the emotional state of the parent when they first saw their daughter in the hospital?

What was the turning point for the daughter's condition in the hospital?