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Online now: 2 members: Mos, TABLE SETTER 11; 108 anonymousDiscussion: MEDICAL EMERGENCY AT EASTERN NATIONALS
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| Aug. 5, 2008 SSUSA Staff 3490 posts | MEDICAL EMERGENCY AT EASTERN NATIONALS As many of you have read and several have commented upon, there was a serious medical emergency on Friday, August 1st, at the Eastern National Campionships in Raleigh. Charlie Williams, age 64, from the Mike Pruit Auto team, collapsed near second base during the sixth inning of a game with Ca$h 4 College. In a "Perfect Storm" of sorts, Charlie was the recipient of immediate critical medical assistance from several people, all of whom performed marvelously under difficult conditions. Bobby Koeller (Dayton Legends) was at Charlie's side almost immediately, rendering first response treatment, quickly assisted by George Mitchen (Mike Pruitt Auto) and Jane Kortz (Doc Martens). Fran Dowell and Michael Boone (SSUSA) provided the SSUSA's on-site AED (Automated External Defibrillator) within a matter of moments while Dave Dowell (SSUSA) joined in the effort. This was an exceptional "team" performance by all of these individuals during the approximate 11 minutes that elasped from the time Charlie was stricken until the Wake County Paramedics arrived on scene. When they arrived, Charlie had resumed breathing and had a pulse again. The AED, which is on-site at all SSUSA administered tournament sites, was the key to success. If we have omitted recognizing others by name who contributed to saving Charlie's life, it's a completely inadvertant oversight, for which we apologize. Thank you to everyone who was so helpful and supportive. Lastly, we wish Charlie a full and speedy recovery and extend our best wishes to Charlie's family and the Mike Pruitt Auto team during this difficult time. |
| Aug. 7, 2008 SSUSA Staff 3490 posts | UPDATE - A member of the Mike Pruit Auto team called in a report on Charlie's progress Wednesday and the prognosis is excellent. His Doctors characterized his initial survival on Friday as "amazing" and look forward to releasing him to return to Ohio yet this week. Thank you for all of the kind words of support and concern and, again, best wishes to Charlie and his extended softball family. |
| Aug. 7, 2008 bogie Men's 65 448 posts | Great job Dave , staff and all that helped this gentleman out.. It was amazing to me, being at the coaches meeting and hearing about the d fibrillator program that SSUSA and others are promoting and not more than a day later, you guys save a mans life. Awesome job. We all hear about the couple of deaths of senior players on the softball diamonds across North America every year...that happens to young guys too, but in the senior game its reality. What people sometimes fail to see is that this program of softball, keeps people in better shape than they would have been in, and probably saves dozens of lives every year by keeping us active. We thank SSUSA for that. Eastern Nationals was a great location in North Carolina, but If we keep eating as much barbque as we did in Raleigh, you better put a Dfib on the Roberts bench for Hugo and I. Ken Van Bogaert Roberts 50 Major |
| Aug. 7, 2008 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | Just great news and what a gift that Dave, Fran, Mike and the folks listed gave. By definition heroes all. I would like to commend SSUSA for the care and thought that go into their safety program. Bogie's point is well taken I truly believe that participation in Senior Softball saves lives, by providing friendship, promoting exercise and a healthier lifestyle. I for one would like to see SSUSA give us some of these stories in their newsletter and raise heart disease awareness amongst all of us. To Charlie and his family best wishes. |
| Aug. 7, 2008 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | I'll echo Bogie and Joe's praise! I hope these individuals are around if and when I need help. SSUSA, great story! |
| Aug. 7, 2008 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Fran and Dave... nothing short of miraculous and inspirational. Way to go, and all our thanks to all of you who were involved, The first National I ever played in was at Huntsman games in Utah and they had 2 EMT's at the park the entire weekend. That always impressed me. Hey Bogie, you animal, How were you hitting them and how did Roberts do? Bruce, My sentiments exactly. Any of us could be next. |
