Wife Saves Husband From Cardiac Arrest During Sleep
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Kobi Cohen, 42, survived cardiac arrest during sleep thanks to his wife Ortal's quick actions and MDA's intervention. Ortal awoke to his abnormal breathing, called MDA, and began CPR under dispatcher guidance. MDA teams arrived, administered two defibrillator shocks, and restored his pulse. Cohen was hospitalized briefly and later released, later thanking his rescuers.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Kobi Cohen, 42, survived cardiac arrest during sleep after his wife Ortal intervened.
- Ortal awoke to unusual sounds, found her husband unresponsive, and called Magen David Adom.
- MDA dispatcher guided Ortal in performing CPR before rescue teams arrived.
- MDA teams administered two electric shocks with a defibrillator to restore Cohen's pulse.
- Cohen was hospitalized in full consciousness and later released.
- Medical personnel credited Ortal's rapid response as the first step in the survival chain.
A 42-year-old man, Kobi Cohen, from Kfar Yona, experienced cardiac arrest while sleeping. His wife, Ortal, awoke to unusual sounds, discovered he was unresponsive, and immediately called Magen David Adom (MDA). Guided by the MDA dispatcher, she began CPR. MDA rescue teams arrived, continued treatment, and administered two electric shocks using a defibrillator, which ultimately restored his pulse.
Ortal described being awakened by sounds from her husband that were more alarming than regular snoring. When she couldn't rouse him, she called MDA. Paramedic Elisha Erzoan, who took the call, instructed her on CPR while dispatching rapid response teams, ambulances, and a mobile intensive care unit.
Emergency medical technicians Eliyahu Cohen, Yonatan Yankelovitz, and Binyamin Dekel were the first to arrive. They continued resuscitation efforts and used a defibrillator, delivering two shocks that helped revive Kobi. MDA reported that he was evacuated to the hospital in full consciousness and later released.
Eliyahu Cohen emphasized the critical role of Ortal's swift reaction and adherence to instructions. The incident also highlights that unusual breathing sounds, such as gasping or labored breaths, can be signs of cardiac arrest, even if they resemble snoring. The American Heart Association advises immediate action for unresponsiveness combined with abnormal breathing.
After his recovery, Kobi and Ortal visited the MDA station in Netanya to thank the teams. Kobi expressed his deep gratitude, and the medical personnel acknowledged Ortal's crucial role in initiating the life-saving chain of events.