Chain of Survival Works to Save Man's Life at Costco

In a remarkable display of quick thinking and teamwork, 59-year-old Samir Haroun was saved from a sudden cardiac arrest on a sweltering August afternoon at the Costco in Northridge.
Today, Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and the Los Angeles Board of Fire Commissioners honored those involved in this odds-beating save.

On August 20, Mr. Haroun, a resident of the San Fernando Valley, noticed one of his vehicle's tires was low on air and drove to a nearby tire center. However, while attempting to adjust the tire's valve stem, he collapsed, losing consciousness.

Statistics from the American Heart Association highlight the severity of such incidents: about 1,000 people in the U.S. suffer sudden cardiac arrests each day, with only 10% surviving to be discharged from the hospital. The likelihood of survival diminishes by 7 to 10% for every minute that passes without CPR or defibrillation.

Fortunately for Haroun, a series of timely interventions unfolded. A nearby customer promptly dialed 9-1-1, while a couple in their 30s began performing CPR under the guidance of LAFD Firefighter III/Paramedic Cheng Lam, an experienced 9-1-1 dispatcher.

Costco employee Aldrin Isak also acted swiftly, retrieving an automated external defibrillator (AED) from within the store. Isak applied the AED pads to Haroun's chest and delivered a critical shock to restore his heart rhythm.

LAFD Engine 104 arrived on the scene within two minutes of being dispatched, led by Captain Shaun Davis. Firefighters Scott Whitehead, Linda Garcia-Rosales, and Kenneth A. Miller joined the effort to stabilize Haroun before he was transported by Paramedic Rescue Ambulance 104, staffed by Firefighter III/Paramedics Michael Rieger and Robert Ponce.

While receiving advanced life support care enroute to Dignity Health - Northridge Hospital Medical Center, Haroun was given medications and two additional shocks to his heart, successfully restoring his pulse.

By that evening, Haroun regained consciousness in the hospital, expressing deep gratitude for the rapid and coordinated response of both bystanders and emergency personnel. He deeply appreciated the perfectly executed chain of survival, giving him a second chance at life.

This incident underscores the importance of public awareness regarding CPR and AED use. Emergency services experts stress that increasing the number of AEDs in public spaces and promoting hands-only CPR could significantly enhance survival rates for cardiac arrest victims across the nation.

Notably, this is not the first life saved at this particular Costco. In 2015, another individual received life-saving assistance at the same location and another at a Costco in Texas. These are just a couple examples illustrating the vital role that community preparedness and responsiveness play in emergencies.

Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and the Los Angeles Board of Fire Commissioners commends the bystanders who stepped in to save the life of a complete stranger and the LAFD members who provided the efficient and effective care that gave Mr Haroun his chance to not only beat the odds and survive, but to thrive.

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