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Letter: Quick action by YMCA members helps save man's life

Suffers cardiac arrest during morning workout
JanuaryThaw
Larry Mercier says the quick reactions of the people at the YMCA helped save his life when he suffered cardiac arrest after a morning workout. (File)

“Y” I am here — That is the question.

On Dec. 15, 2017 I had just finished my usual workout at the YMCA, and the next thing I know, I am waking up in the hospital three days later.

I had passed out that morning and dropped to the floor with a cardiac arrest, totally unaware of anything.

The quick action of several people at the YMCA using CPR and the defibrillator on site until the ambulance arrive were what saved my life that day. The advanced care paramedics arrived within 10 minutes and continued their care, transporting me to the hospital.

At the hospital, the paramedics were around to speak with family and check on how I was doing. From what we have learned, when this happens to anyone, it is imperative that life-saving skills, used immediately, mean the difference to recovery.

Seconds and minutes mean life, and I look forward to returning to the YMCA to meet those members who tended to me so quickly and personally thanking them for giving me life and a future.

The care I received at Health Sciences North was above excellence. The doctors and nurses helped my family to understand the processes taken and answered all questions with concern and care. We are fortunate to have such an up-to-date cardiac unit at HSN.

I was treated with what seemed like personal and priority care, even though those doctors and nurses had many other patients to attend to.

So the answer to my question, “Y” am I here, is due to the knowledge of CPR and the availability of defibrillators to anyone who may need one, and in my case, the actions of my fellow members at the Y.

See you soon.

Larry Mercier
Sudbury