Initial reports received by United Hatzalah Southern District medics referred to a lightly wounded individual on Jabotinsky Street in the industrial section of Ashdod. Ambucycle medic Daniel Suisa was first to arrive at the reported location and found nothing. Daniel at first presumed that it was such a light incident that the parties exchanged words and departed. That is where Daniel’s Hatzalah training and experience kicked in, “Hope for the best but prepare for the worst”.

Keeping his ambucycle in motion Daniel continued to scan the area. Noticing an ominously suspicious crowd on a side street, Daniel whipped the ambucycle onto a sidewalk, along a dirt path and through some small bushes to reach the crowd. His intincts  were unfortunately accurate. A passing nurse was already performing CPR on an elderly pedestrian struck by a passing vehicle.

Daniel relayed the updated information over the communication net adding his equipment and training to the lifesaving battle. His defibrillator advised the rescuers that the heart too was making efforts to stay alive and that a shock would be beneficial. The growing crew of rescuers stepped back as a shock was administered and aggressive treatment therapy was initiated. The battle continued for close to 40 minutes in the hot afternoon. It was too much for the aging lady.

It was with regret that the doctor on the ambulance informed the crew that the lady’s heart had given out. Daniel emailed Eli Beer, Chief coordinator of United Hatzalah commenting “Despite the excruciating disappointment of a rescue that wasn’t meant to be I thank you and the United Hatzalah for giving me the wherewithal to give each person the best possible chance of surviving”.

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