WYOMING, Mich. (March 14, 2014) — It’s a reunion between 50-year-old Earl Cahill and the Wyoming police officers who helped save his life, after collapsing during a heart attack.
“I fell on the floor. Thank God they heard me,” said Cahill.
Cahill’s wife Juanita ran into the room to discover him lying helplessly.
“Not a pretty sight. Just you know, again the fixation in the eyes type thing. So I hollered and said Earl are you okay? Are you okay? I said talk to me, I’m calling 911,” said Juanita Devries.
Wyoming police arrived at the home in just two minutes, and began c-p-r and the use of the AED.
“It’s very physically demanding, just doing the chest compressions, making sure they are getting deep enough,” said officer Kresten Green.
Police spent 30 minutes trying save Cahill’s life.
“At first we were getting nothing, and then as the AED gave more shock, and it started to pick up a heartbeat,” said officer Dan Vlietstra.
This was Cahill’s third heart attack. He said that it’s a miracle to be alive.
Cahill’s son Joshua said that doctors told him that his father only had a 20 percent chance of surviving.
“Your dad might not live and then if he does, he might be brain dead. Then, to have him sit there and look at you and know who you are and talking to you and having all of these conversations,” said Joshua Cahill.
Cahill will spend the next couple weeks in the hospital while doctor conduct more tests.
The Wyoming Police Dept. is the only law enforcement agency in Kent County that equips all patrol units with AED’s.
