The training Lisa Blix received for her night job apparently saved the life of an elderly man who collapsed with a heart attack Tuesday at the Snohomish County Courthouse.
Blix, 38, administered a shock with an automated external defibrillator, a device available in the jury lounge on the building’s first floor. Then she began chest compressions.
By day, Blix is administrative assistant to Snohomish County Clerk Pam Daniels. On weekends and some nights, she’s an emergency medical technician working with Fire District 8 in Lake Stevens, where she got her training.
It was fortunate that the defibrillator was handy and available for use within a minute or so of the man’s collapse, Blix said.
The man had been called to jury duty but looked ill, and court administration staff members were getting ready to send him home about 11:30 a.m.
Courthouse security officer Cindie Zweegman knew Blix was a firefighter and rushed to the second floor of the building to fetch her. Meanwhile, someone called 911.
Blix said the man had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. She grabbed the defibrillator and administered a shock before starting chest compressions. His pulse came back and he started to breathe just before Everett firefighters arrived.
Everett Fire Capt. Rich Shrauner said the quick action by Blix may have saved the man’s life.
“I would think he will survive,” Shrauner said, although he hadn’t had time to check with the hospital Tuesday.
About five years ago, Medic One pushed a program to get defibrillators into public buildings and elsewhere, and to train people in their use.
Blix shrugged off any praise for her part.
“I just happened to be at the right place at the right time,” she said. “Our medics and firefighters do stuff like this all the time.”
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
