Michael Flynn, Pennsylvania

 On March 23, 2015, Michael Flynn was working in the city of Philadelphia when he went into full cardiac arrest at the VA Administration Building. A co-worker secured the site and they found a nurse in the building that started CPR. An AED was used on Michael two times. Medics quickly arrived and transported him to Temple University Hospital. Michael had just turned 35 at the end of February, has a 3 year old daughter, Della, and his wife Julia was pregnant and due in May. He said he didn’t feel well, but other than that, there were no signs or symptoms.

When he woke up he was at Temple University Hospital. They did a heart catheterization and found 100% blockage on the lower left side. Michael spent his first week in the hospital heavily sedated while on a breathing machine before his stent went into place. Among Michael’s visitors at the hospital was his supervisor who told him that “everyone should be trained in CPR.” 

Michael was released from the hospital approximately 2 weeks later, has finished 6 weeks of cardiac rehab and is now back to work. Michael’s heart had a lot of damage and he is still trying to get his heart rate up to where it should be. In the meantime, he welcomed his son, Cade, into the world in May 2015 and he is committed to a healthy lifestyle so that he will be around a long time for his family.

When an individual suffers sudden cardiac arrest, time is of the essence. Studies have shown the best chance of survival is by receiving bystander CPR until emergency responders arrive. There are now 27 states that will train 1.6 million students in CPR.  Will Pennsylvania be #28? We hope so! In under 30 minutes, we can teach students hands-only CPR and how to save a life!  Please urge your legislators to support SB 948 and HB 1464, which will provide CPR training for students in Pennsylvania.