On the evening of January 29, 2016, Sunstar Paramedic Robert Knaut and EMT Blake Sweeny were finishing up with a patient they had just taken in to Mease Dunedin Emergency Room. While in the ambulance bay getting their equipment ready for the next call, a car pulled up next to Paramedic Knaut.  A woman asked for help with her husband who she stated was having a heart attack. Knaut immediately went inside to get a wheel chair to bring the patient inside. He and EMT Blake helped the patient out of the car and into the emergency room. Once in the room, they realized there was no heart monitor in that specific room.  Knowing the patient was in serious condition, Blake acted quickly and  took the monitor off of their ambulance and attached it to the patient. It was determined that the patient was in a lethal heart rhythm and appeared to be deteriorating quickly. Once the ER staff placeed their monitor on the patient they were able to defibrillate the patient and correct the heart’s arrhythmia. Knaut said the Emergency Room staff were very grateful for their help and quick actions.
Sunstar and Palm Harbor Fire Rescue Reunite with Patient
A day of recognition in more ways than one. Heart disease in women does not always look like what we expect. It is not always crushing chest pain or left arm discomfort. The symptoms can be subtle, different, and easy to overlook. Knowing that matters....



