Another twist in the McConnell story

[AverageOldGuy]

15. ". . . after he received CPR following an apparent heart attack."

CPR is not performed because of a heart attack. CPR is started only when no heartbeat is detected -- that is, cardiac arrest. If McConnell went into cardiac arrest, first people on the scene would start CPR. Manual CPR would then be replaced by mechanical CPR using a Lucas device. If an AED is available, it should have been used in conjunction with manual CPR, following the instructions from the AED.

I know this is speculative, but -- if McConnell did undergo CPR, he likely suffered cardiac arrest -- his heart stopped. Outside the hospital, erven with manual and/or automated CPR and an AED, only about 10% of cardiac arrest cases survive and they often suffer permanent disabilities. One of my cousins was lab director at a major southeastern medical system, also volunteered coaching a girls' soccer team. They had a soccer tourney one Saturday; EMS was present. At the end of the day, as he and girls were headed to the parking lot, he collapsed. EMS was on him within two minutes, cardiac arrest, hit him with the AED, restarted his heart. He was out for 4-5 minutes. He recovered but is like a stroke victim --walks only with assistance; feeds himself with a little help; slowly processes conversation, speech is very slurred.

It may be -- and a stress MY BE -- that McConnell did suffer cardiac arrest and was revived. If so, he likely will be in the same or worse condition as my cousin.