Indio firefighters save man in sudden cardiac arrest, stressing importance of CPR training

A normal morning turned into a life-or-death emergency for Washington resident Keith Jones while visiting family in the Coachella Valley. After suddenly feeling overheated and nauseous, his wife rushed him toward the hospital. But not knowing exactly where it was, she instead turned into the nearby Terra Lago Fire Station in Indio.

That quick decision proved lifesaving.

As Jones arrived, he went into full cardiac arrest. Fire Captain Dave and his crew immediately began CPR and connected him to a defibrillator. His heart stopped beating, and time was running out.

They delivered chest compressions and two defibrillator shocks. After the second one, Jones regained a pulse. Within moments, he was awake and alert.

As he opened his eyes, he remembers hearing the firefighter’s welcome: “Welcome back.”

Jones was transported to the hospital and continues to recover. First responders say he is among a fortunate minority. Survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests remain low nationwide, but the American Heart Association reports that CPR can more than double a person’s chance of survival.

Fire crews stress how critical community involvement is in those first few minutes before help arrives.

If someone continues compressions until paramedics get there, it dramatically improves the chain of survival and increases the odds of a positive outcome. Jones agrees, saying recognizing the signs and knowing what to do can save a life.

The Coachella Valley community has a chance to learn those skills this weekend. The American Heart Association’s Heart and Stroke Walk takes place Saturday at Palm Desert’s Civic Center Park. The event includes CPR education, an informational expo at 8 a.m., and the walk beginning at 9 a.m. Registration is available at cvheartwalk.org.

First responders at the Terra Lago station say they’re grateful Keith is here to share his story — and hope more lives can be saved through CPR awareness.

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