By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Members of Ellis County EMS were recognized by the Ellis County Commission on Tuesday for saving a woman's life in August.
Those staff were Technician Haynes, Technician Whitmer, Technician Moore, Technician Bollig and Technician Henry.
Danita Schroeder, Ellis County EMS director, spoke before the Ellis County Commission on Tuesday.
On Aug. 18, Ellis County EMS responded to a 911 call for a woman having a seizure at a local gas station.
When the EMS crew arrived, they found the woman was not breathing and had no pulse.
The crew started CPR and respirations. The crew gave her two defibulator shocks with a cardiac monitor, started an IV, gave her cardiac medicine and placed an advanced airway, Schroeder said.
With the lifesaving actions, the crew was able to get her heart beating again and transported to the local emergency room.
"She was able to leave the hospital a week later with no neurological deficits and return home," Schroeder said.
The woman was unable to be at the county commission meeting, but Schroeder said the woman said in a recent phone call she and her husband were very appreciative and praised the Ellis County crew for their quick response and professionalism.
"She said without our crews she would not be here today," Schroeder said.
Schroeder said the incident is what EMS calls a "field save," which is a rare occurrence.
The average survival rate for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is only about 10 percent.
"That day our providers were able to use their knowledge and their skills to provide life-saving care for this individual to defy that 10 percent," Schroeder said.
"I want to thank our technicians today and thank them for choosing this profession to help provide emergency care for our community and those who visit our community as well," she said.
Ellis County Commissioner Neal Younger said, "You didn't just affect one life, you affected a bunch of lives — her family. We appreciate you every day. Thank you for your services."