MYNORTHWEST NEWS

A look at what makes King County so successful in saving cardiac patients

Jun 21, 2013, 1:00 PM | Updated: 1:22 pm

Bellevue paramedic John Tetzlaff poses with his Triple Crown Award for saving three lives in one month. (Chris Sullivan/KIRO Radio)

(Chris Sullivan/KIRO Radio)

King County is one of the best places in the world to have a heart attack. The survival rate in King County is 55 percent. The national survival rate is 8 percent.

What makes us so different? The public is better trained and more willing to help, and we have great paramedics.

Scott Packwood is one of the many King County survivors. He was having lunch at a Bellevue Thai restaurant when he started feeling odd.

“I felt kind of woozy, and I had yellow spots suddenly come in my eyes,” he said. “It was a very strange experience.”

Seconds later, he collapsed at his table. Fortunately for him, Bellevue Fire Chaplain Mike Ryan was eating at the next table. He’d never had to use CPR before, but he was trained.

“He got the best of what I had,” Ryan said. “I’m sure he was sore the next day, but I knew the cavalry was coming and my goal was to keep that blood moving as long as I could.”

For four minutes, Ryan worked to exhaustion compressing 42-year-old Packwood’s chest until paramedics arrived and were able to shock his heart back to life.

“I realize what a small window of time I really had,” Packwood said. “I think about that all the time. Him reacting so fast was just crucial and amazing.”

Packwood is not the exception. More than half of heart attack victims in King County are brought back to life, and most don’t suffer permanent damage because the care comes quickly, and it’s effective.

Bellevue’s John Tetzlaff was honored this week as the first paramedic in the nation to ever save three cardiac patients in one month.

“I feel like Forrest Gump sometimes just at the right place at the right time,” he said. “The A.L.S. (advanced life saving) providers in King County. We just make it possible. I don’t know how to wrap my mind around it. I feel very lucky and very humbled to have the job that I have and an opportunity to help people.”

Tetzlaff credits his success on his training, his co-workers and the willingness of the public to become trained in CPR, and the willingness to use it. In one of his saves, which came at a North Bend golf course, the victim’s friends were performing CPR when he arrived. He believes that was just as vital to saving the man’s life.

“I do love my job,” Tetzlaff said. “The award is nice, but I don’t know what to say I guess. I’m honored. It’s a privilege.”

And since Tetzlaff’s rare accomplishment last year, there has only been one other paramedic in the nation to record three saves in a month.

That paramedic is also from King County.

MyNorthwest News

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

45 minutes ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

2 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

2 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

3 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

6 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone and Bill Kaczaraba

‘Kia Boyz’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

7 hours ago

A look at what makes King County so successful in saving cardiac patients