On the evening of January 18th Mason County Fire District 2 responded to a report of an asthma attack in the Beard’s Cove neighborhood. Paramedic Dave McCarthy and his EMT partners Kevin Magee, Nick Morgan, and Josh Hasbrook responded on the call. When they arrived at the scene of the call they found 19 year old Alex Lahti having a difficult time breathing. According to Paramedic McCarthy, “Alex was in terrible distress when we arrived; he was cyanotic, spoke in one word sentences, and was moving very little air; we needed to act quickly.”
The medical crew went to work right away. They began by providing pure oxygen and administering several different medications to Alex in an attempt to improve his breathing. The asthma attack was so severe that Alex did not respond to any of the medication treatments. He was immediately rushed to Harrison Hospital in Bremerton. During the transport to the hospital Alex’s body was physically exhausted, and with a lack of oxygen his breathing and heart stopped all together.
Without any hesitation the Fire District 2 EMS crew worked to place a breathing tube for Alex and forced air and asthma medication into his lungs. They also began CPR to maintain a circulation of blood to Alex’s body and brain. Within just a few seconds Paramedic McCarthy was able to restart Alex’s heart while his crew worked to maintain his breathing and oxygen supply. Alex was on the road to recovery.
Alex would arrive at Harrison Hospital in critical condition but the worst was over. A team of skilled doctors and nurses continued to care for Alex in the Emergency Room and the Intensive Care Unit. They worked aggressively to help in Alex’s successful recovery.
On Wednesday February 10th Alex, his family, and Paramedic Dave McCarthy had the opportunity to meet one another following the terrifying night. Alex thanked Dave and his crew for the medical help that he received. Dave stated that, “nothing could make me happier or put a bigger smile on my face than seeing Alex standing here and doing well”. It was a fantastic evening for all involved. Alex’s parents Colleen and Jeff stated that, “Dave was the most calming amazing person ever in a very high stress situation and the others...sorry, I never got their names.....were just great as well. Everyone at your station are just amazing wonderful people and I truly hope you all know how very much you are appreciated in the community!!”
It is calls like these in which Fire District 2 must quickly respond to the call for action; seconds count. It’s in patients like Alex where Fire District 2 can make the biggest difference. The highest caliber of fire and medical professionals are on staff at Fire District 2. It is Fire District 2’s goal that you or the Lahti family will never have to call for an emergency, but if you do, we are there.
