MILLSTONE — Bill Baker believes the stars aligned for him on March 23. After suffering cardiac arrest on the Charleston Spring Golf Course in Millstone Township, a series of fortunate events transpired that saved his life.
Baker, 65, of Jackson, and his wife, Sheryl, visited the Millstone Township Fire Department on June 1 to thank the emergency personnel who made the difference between his life and death.
At about 4 p.m. March 23, the MTFD and the Millstone Township First Aid Squad were dispatched to the golf course regarding a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in progress, MTFD Lt. Mike Maloney said.
According to the MTFD’s official report, Engine 3275 arrived in the area of Sweetmans Lane and Forman Road, where it was met by an individual who directed the crew to the patient.
“Lt. Maloney, firefighters Josh Jamison and James Walsh had to run about 150 yards through the woods and golf course with their equipment,” according to the report. “Upon reaching the patient, they discovered a male patient in cardiac arrest being attended to by Monmouth County Parks System employeeWayne Connelly.”
At that time, Connelly had applied an automatic external defibrillator and delivered one shock to Baker.
An unidentified bystander, whom Baker later said was one of his golfing partners, told the firefighters he had initiated chest compressions prior to their arrival.
Maloney then initiated chest compressions while Jamison began ventilating Baker with a bag-valve mask with supplemental oxygen, according to the report.
After Maloney determined that Baker had regained a pulse and respiration, he was loaded onto a spine board and placed in a Stokes basket, a litter often used in rescue situations, to assist in removal from the course.
Upon reaching the parking lot, Baker was turned over to the first aid ambulance, staffed by Bob Trifiro and Nancy Parmegiani, and transported to CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township.
Maloney said he was very happy with the whole outcome.
“Atrue field recovery is relatively rare,” he said. “We rarely get to meet people we have been able to assist.”
Baker said all he recalls is playing golf with his friends when he went down. He had no history of heart problems, although he does have high blood pressure, he said. It took the firefighters five minutes to revive him, he said.
Baker stayed at CentraState for three days and was later transferred to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. Apermanent pacemaker with a defibrillator was later placed in his chest.
Baker said two doctors told his wife they did not think he would make it. However, Dr. Charles Koo of Monmouth Cardiology Associates gave her hope that he would recover, according to Baker.
When Baker later thanked Koo, the doctor replied, “Don’t thank me. Thank the first responders.”
Baker said there were three groups of people — his golf partners who started CPR, the park system personnel and the emergency responders — who were all responsible for bringing him back from cardiac arrest, and if any of them had not been there, he would not have made it.
He said he feels great when he wakes up every morning and walks a couple of miles each day, but paces himself.
“It will be a few more months before a full recovery,” he said.
— Jane Meggitt