It takes a community to save a life
Published 5:36 pm Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue members recently visited Tim Ordwing who experienced a sudden cardiac arrest on the morning of Sept. 25 at the Glenwood Springs Salmon Hatchery on Orcas Island. Community members at the hatchery witnessed the collapse and immediately started CPR while others called 911. Within minutes, members from Orcas Island Fire and Rescue arrived to render assistance and continue CPR. An Auto External Defibrillator and other emergency medical procedures were initiated resulting in a positive outcome for Ordwing. Once stabilized, he was transferred to an Airlift Northwest Helicopter where he was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham, Wash., for further medical treatment.
By everyone working together, Ordwing’s life was saved.
He is recovering very well and he and his wife Sue offered their gratitude on Oct. 17, by meeting with the islanders who helped him.
Many thanks to the community members who helped on the scene including volunteers from Long Live the Kings and Camp Orkila personnel, as well as all Orcas Island Fire and Rescue members.
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue offers CPR and First Aid classes to the public: CPR is offered at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of every month. First Aid classes are offered at 9 a.m. on every third Saturday. Call 376-2331 to sign up.
