Plano's newest fire chief, city employees and quick-thinking gym-goers saved a man’s life Wednesday night.
The Plano Fire Department said a 53-year-old man went into cardiac arrest at the Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center on the 5800 block of West Parker Road at about 8:30 p.m.
Patrick McGill, a recreation center employee, was called over by another person who noticed the man was passed out, sprawled on a leg machine in the weight room.
McGill immediately began CPR.
Plano Fire Chief Brian Crawford was off-duty, working out on a nearby elliptical machine and assisted Plano Parks and Recreation employees.
“One of the city employees who I work with, knew I was in the gym…told me someone working out had gone down actually so I came over,” Crawford said. “I’m already yelling at the staff, or anyone that will listen to me, get the AED and call 911!”
Other gym-goers, including physicians working out, were all doing what they could to help.
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Crawford helped perform CPR using a defibrillator. The man started breathing soon after.
“As soon as he opened his eyes, I whispered in his ear and I said can you tell me what your name is,” Crawford said. “He told me his first name, kind of asked me what happened, asked him if he knew where he was, he said I’m at the fitness center.”
The man was transported to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital and is in stable condition as of Thursday. He is undergoing tests.
Plano Fire-Rescue Medical Director Dr. Mark Gamber credits the staff at the Muehlenbeck Center with their quick action in calling 911, performing CPR and using the AED.
"When a citizen experiences cardiac arrest, chest compression and AED use are the most important factors in saving their life,” Dr. Gamber said. “This gentleman survived thanks to the rapid action of Chief Crawford and other Plano citizens."
Plano Fire-Rescue said all city employees have received training.
Chief Crawford said he visited the man Thursday morning and that he is recovering.
