Costa Teguise Family’s Quick Action Helps Save Man After Cardiac Arrest
A dramatic medical emergency in Costa Teguise has highlighted how important it can be to act quickly when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.
A man was at his home in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, at around 7am when he suffered a seizure followed by a change in his breathing. His condition then deteriorated into a cardiorespiratory arrest.
His family realised that he had no pulse and immediately contacted the Servicio de Urgencias Canario (SUC), the Canary Islands emergency medical service.
Telephone guidance helped family begin CPR
While a medicalised ambulance was being sent to the property, a coordinating nurse from the SUC talked the family through what to do.
The man's son was instructed to place his father on a firm surface and begin basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Because several family members were present, the emergency coordinator advised them to take turns with the chest compressions every two to three minutes so that the quality of the CPR could be maintained.
This meant the family could continue providing CPR while they waited for the emergency medical team to arrive.
Paramedics continued resuscitation
When the SUC ambulance reached the home, the medical team took over the resuscitation. A semi-automatic defibrillator was used and two shocks were delivered.
According to the official information released by the Government of the Canary Islands, the treatment successfully reversed the cardiac arrest. The patient was stabilised and taken to Doctor José Molina Orosa Hospital in Arrecife, where he was reported to be stable but still in a serious clinical condition.
Why this Lanzarote emergency is a reminder for residents and visitors
Although this incident happened inside a private home, it is a useful reminder for anyone living in or visiting Lanzarote about the importance of knowing what to do in a medical emergency.
Cardiac arrest can happen suddenly, and the minutes before professional medical help arrives can be extremely important. Calling the emergency services promptly and following the instructions given by trained emergency personnel can help bystander rescuers provide CPR until an ambulance arrives.
You do not need to be a medical professional to contact emergency services. If someone is unconscious and not breathing normally, call for emergency help and follow the instructions provided by the emergency operator or medical coordinator.
For tourists staying in Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca or elsewhere in Lanzarote, it is also useful to know where you are staying and to be able to give the emergency services a clear address or location.
A timely reminder about CPR in Lanzarote
The Costa Teguise incident is ultimately a story about rapid action and cooperation between a family and the emergency services.
The family recognised that something was seriously wrong, contacted the SUC and followed professional instructions while waiting for the ambulance. The medical team then continued advanced resuscitation and used a defibrillator to restore the man's heartbeat.
