On Monday afternoon in Jerusalem, lifeguards noticed an elderly woman drowning in a pool. They immediately jumped in to assist her but she was already unconscious. Emergency services were immediately notified as the lifeguards pulled her out of the pool.
United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Naftali Yehuda Pasin was nearby at his grandparents’ apartment when he received the alert on his communications device. He quickly got into his car and rushed to the scene, arriving in under 90 seconds.
Pasin reached the poolside and found a woman in her 70s lying near the pool, without a pulse and not breathing. He instructed the lifeguard to start CPR while he retrieved the pool’s defibrillator and attached it to the woman. Pasin then provided assisted ventilation as the lifeguard continued chest compressions.
After about two minutes of CPR, a paramedic arrived at the pool. The paramedic attached a heart monitor and administered medication to the woman. The team continued CPR for another minute until suddenly the woman began to blink and her pulse returned.
Shortly after, an intensive care ambulance arrived. The patient was transported to the hospital for further treatment and observation.
“It’s always a special feeling to help save a life, especially as the first responder at the scene,” said Pasin after the incident. “I hope she makes a full recovery.”