Last year, on August 30, 2023, at a Sun City Softball game, one of the players, Dave Rodiek, collapsed.
Laurie Pokorny, watching the game, said, “I remember it being a beautiful day, with the bleachers packed with fans for both teams. The teams got one inning in, and then, before they could start the second inning, Dave collapsed in the dugout. I remember seeing the commotion from the third base side, so I called 911 and quickly walked over to their dugout. The dispatcher asked what the emergency was: cardiac arrest. I replied, and then he asked for the address. I knew the address of the ballfield because it was posted on the cage behind the catcher’s plate; a wonderful idea that should be implemented at all ballfields. I got to the dugout, and it was chaos. Dave was already moved to the ground, and Jeff and Chuck were in action with CPR. Someone yelled for the AED, which Rich brought over. All the while, I was on with the dispatcher answering questions and relaying to everyone that help was on the way. It was quite scary, seeing Dave not breathing and the incredible work of CPR Jeff and Chuck were doing. I was also impressed that several guys were lined up, I mean, literally lined up outside the dugout, ready to jump in to help with the CPR in case Jeff and Chuck needed a rest. To see so many willing to step in was incredible to me. After they administered the AED, the paramedics arrived, which felt like an eternity but was an incredible two minutes.”
Dispatcher Robert Pierson quickly assessed the emergency and sent an ambulance out.
Jeff Hois, a softball player, started CPR, while Rich Pearl, another player, went to retrieve the AED (Automated External Defibrillator), and Chuck Hund, also a softball player, started using the AED before responders came to the field.
Hund said, “Dave was fortunate enough to have this happen to him here at the ballpark because there were many qualified people there ready to help if needed. This incident sparked me into purchasing an AED for my personal use.”
Crew members from Huntley Fire arrived on the field: Battalion Chief Eric Bentley, Lt. David Stadie, Firefighter (FF)/ Paramedic (PM) Josh Kinberg, FF/PM Josh Kaiser, FF/PM Jon King and FF/PM Trent Verdonck.
Pokorny said, “When I talk to people about that day, so many say how lucky Dave was that the stars lined up that day, which they did. I want to say how blessed it was having the Holy Spirit working through so many people that day.”
Rodiek said, “I am grateful for the people who reacted so quickly to give me life; they are the story and the heroes. The silver lining in this story is the positive attention they received because of the outcome of their efforts. People I don’t know, and I’ve never met, have come up to me and told me they have medications to prevent what happened to me, but they didn’t think it would happen to them, so they stopped taking them, but now they are. People have also told me they have started going to the gym to improve their health. I understand AEDs are being installed in places where there weren’t any before, and there is an interest in learning how to use AEDs and CPR. The community is very supportive, and although I hope this doesn’t happen to anyone, maybe there will be more success stories.”
A lifesaving ceremony was held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at the Huntley Fire Station. The three first responders, the dispatcher, and the crews were in attendance, along with Sun City residents, Hund, Pokorny, Pearl and Hois. Rodiek was unavailable to attend due to work commitments, but his girlfriend, Cheryl King, was there to thank everyone personally.
Pearl said, “Dave was most fortunate to have Chuck and Jeff there. They are the main reason he was treated so quickly. I want them at all my games moving forward.”
Lt. Kelly Gitzke, Director of Mobile Integrated Health for Huntley Fire Protection District, encourages residents to make that New Year’s Resolution and take a CPR class.
Gitzke said it is important to learn CPR and how to use an AED. The Huntley Fire Protection District is committed to saving lives. Today, 24% of our sudden cardiac arrest patients are alive and well. They are back home, living productive lives with their families. This is all due to the chain of survival. Recognizing an emergency, calling 911, starting chest compressions, using the AED, and transporting them to a hospital for post-cardiac care. Bystanders are saving lives.”
To sign up for a CPR class, visit www.huntleyfpd.org and register for a CPR class.
