On Tuesday at 9 A.M., a man in his 50s experienced a sudden cardiac arrest while having breakfast in the dining hall of Eilat’s Neptune Hotel. Eyewitnesses immediately called for medical assistance.

Yehuda Ben Yatach, a volunteer EMT from United Hatzalah, happened to be nearby when his proximity alert was triggered. Without hesitation, he jumped on his ambucycle and raced to the scene. Yehuda, the first responder on site, found hotel employees performing chest compressions on the man, who had already received one electric shock from the hotel’s defibrillator. Taking charge, Yehuda continued with chest compressions and cleared the patient’s airway by suctioning secretions before delivering a second shock.

A mobile intensive care crew arrived minutes later, joining forces with Yehuda. United Hatzalah paramedic Liad Ohana, who happened to be vacationing in a nearby hotel also received the emergency alert from United Hatzalah’s Dispatch and Command center. Liad left his family, informing them he would return shortly, and swiftly made his way to the scene in his car.

Upon Liad’s arrival, he integrated into the medical team, providing advanced life support such as intubation and medications. After a joint effort of half an hour, the patient regained his pulse and started breathing again. He was promptly transported to the hospital for further treatment.

After the incident, Liad said, “I entered the medical field 15 years ago, and until this day I am committed to responding to emergencies and volunteering my skills to save lives. My ultimate goal is to help people return to their loved ones and resume their lives at the end of the day.”

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