Mar Vista Cardiac Arrest Survivor Reunited With LAFD Rescuers

52-year-old man stops by at Fire Station 62 Wednesday to thank LAFD responders

Over the summer, Los Angeles City Firefighters and Paramedics responded to a man with a heart dysrhythmia, who then went into cardiac arrest in front of rescuers on the scene. Their quick actions saved his life, and he was reunited with them this week at Fire Station 62 to say thank you.

On August 6, 2022, at 11:00 AM, the LAFD received a 9-1-1 call to the 12500 block of Venice Boulevard in Mar Vista. Answering that 9-1-1 phone call was Firefighter/Dispatcher, Armando Diaz. Without delay, he acquired the necessary information and dispatched Engine 62 and Paramedic Rescue Ambulance 62 to the address of the emergency.

Rescuers encountered a 52-year-old man sitting in his parked car inside an underground apartment garage. He was complaining of tingling in his arm, with symptoms including cool, pale and sweaty skin, but not experiencing chest pain. They performed a detailed 12-lead EKG to evaluate the man’s heart rhythm, which indicated a STEMI, which stands for “ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.”

“This is a serious and life-threatening heart attack with a blocked coronary artery, which is supposed to supply blood and oxygen to the pumping heart muscle,” the LAFD said.

As Paramedics began setting up for treatment and transport, the situation quickly deteriorated.

“Right in front of them, the man went into cardiac arrest, discontinuing blood flow to all parts of his body, and most importantly, the brain. Firefighters immediately switched gears and initiated CPR, including defibrillating the man twice with a focused electric shock to his heart,” the LAFD said.

Thankfully, this immediate intervention resulted in “ROSC,” which is a Return of Spontaneous Circulation, where the heart starts beating again on its own.

The patient, Anthony Taranto, regained consciousness and Firefighters/Paramedics in the back of the ambulance with him engaged