CPR

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

It’s July — Today is the first day in the month of July, named after Julius Caesar around the time of his assassination in 44 BC. Prior to that, the month was called Quintilis. In addition to today being the start of July, it’s also the start of the second half of the year. Expect the month to be especially hot and rainy. [Capital Weather Gang]

New Va. Bike Law Now In Effect — “A new state law requires motorists to change lanes when passing a bicyclist, if the lane of travel is not wide enough to accommodate 3 feet in distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle. Existing law had allowed, but did not require, a motorist to move into the other lane when passing a bicyclist in order to ensure at least 3 feet of distance.” [Sun Gazette]

ACFD CPR Battle — “Recruit Class 80 was certified in CPR yesterday. Recruits went head to head in partner CPR races. The top recruit team took on the FTA Cadre in a final race. Watch to find out who won! Our manikins give live feedback on the quality of compressions and ventilations.” [Instagram]

ACPD’s LGBTQ+ Outreach — “The unit provides educational outreach to the LGBTQ community on issues of concern to that community, including the types of crime that some LGBTQ people become victims of. Among those issues, he said, are same-sex domestic violence and online dating scams in which criminals pose as a potential dating partner to gain access to a gay person’s home, where they rob and sometime assault the unsuspecting victim. Penn said he was unaware of any anti-LGBTQ hate crimes that have occurred in Arlington in recent years.” [Washington Blade]

CPRO Gets Amazon Donation — “The Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Amazon. To kick off this partnership, CPRO has received a generous $25,000 donation from Amazon this month to support three of its upcoming events: the recent Columbia Pike Blues Weekend, the upcoming Columbia Pike Drive-In Movie Nights, and CPRO’s 35th Anniversary Celebration in October.” [Press Release]

At Least 500 Wakefield High School Students To Learn Hands-On CPR

By Anna Merod

At least 500 Wakefield High School students are scheduled learn how to give hands-on CPR on Thursday.

The event is part of the “Hands2Hearts” initiative which seeks to help every adult working or living in Arlington to learn hands-only CPR.

The initiative is sponsored by the Arlington County Fire Department and Virginia Hospital Center. Organizers will spend 30 minutes teaching students how to recognize a cardiac arrest victim while teaching them how to potentially save their lives through hands-only CPR.

Students will also be taught how to treat a choking victim and use an automated external defibrillator. Students reached out to ACFD and VHC to bring the event to school.

Judge Saves Witness’ Life in County Courthouse

By Ethan Rothstein

From left, Cpl. Joseph Ferguson, Judge Thomas Kelley Jr., Cpl. Phyllis Henderson and Cpl. Edwin Hill (photo courtesy Maj. Susie Doyel)(Updated at 11:55 a.m.) An Arlington General District Court judge saved a man’s life in his courtroom Thursday morning, performing CPR after the victim suffered a heart attack.

The victim was testifying at the trial of an alleged trespasser when he started “gasping for air,” his friend George told ARLnow.com. George, who declined to give his last name or his friend’s name, alerted Judge Thomas J. Kelley Jr., who cleared out the courtroom and came down from the bench to render aid.

When it became apparent that the victim was having a heart attack, Kelley laid him on the floor and started performing chest compressions, George said. Sheriff’s deputies Edwin Hill and Phyllis Henderson assisted Kelley and performed mouth-to-mouth, according to Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Maj. Susie Doyel.

“It was a flash, [Kelley] was down off that bench in a hurry,” George said. “When I got to the hospital, the EMTs stabilized him and said whoever performed CPR on him probably saved his life.”

George and the heart attack victim are childhood friends and Arlington natives, and the victim’s house was allegedly broken into recently, which is why they were in court.

Between the time Kelley began administering CPR and paramedics arrived, George said the victim began breathing and regained his pulse — but then his heart stopped again, prompting the hero judge and deputies to begin CPR again.

“The judge had control of everything. He didn’t blink,” George said. Later Thursday afternoon, after ensuring his friend was in stable condition, George went back to the court house to thank Kelley. “He was telling me he had [performed CPR] years back and he was glad he still had the skill set.”

Photo courtesy Maj. Susie Doyel

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Man Saves Life of Granddaughter — A grandfather saved the life of his granddaughter on Sunday, after the little girl started choking on fruit inside her family’s Arlington home. The grandfather, Rick Corbett, used his CPR training from the Boy Scouts in order to help save her life. [WUSA 9]

County Still Trying to Buy Courthouse Building — Arlington County is in negotiations to purchase the 1960s-era office building at 2020 14th Street N. The potential purchase sparked controversy among neighbors, largely due to the plan to place a year-round homeless shelter on the building’s lower floors. [Sun Gazette]

Tech Event Tonight at Artisphere — The technology networking organization Tech Cocktail is holding a mixer and startup showcase tonight at Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd). Last-minute tickets for the event, which runs from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., are $20. [Tech Cocktail]

Lane Closures on the Pike Due to Medical Emergency

By ARLnow.com

Columbia Pike is down to one lane in each direction near S. Glebe Road due to a medical emergency.

Initial reports suggest an 82-year-old woman passed out in her car, possibly while waiting for a traffic light. Passersby tried to assist her, but by the time medics arrived she was not breathing and CPR was being performed.

Emergency vehicles are reported to be blocking one lane in each direction on Columbia Pike.

Herndon Man Dies After Morning Accident on I-66

By ARLnow.com

Police have released additional details about this morning’s now-fatal multi-vehicle accident on I-66.

Chip Moss, 52, of Herndon was driving eastbound on I-66 near the exit to Route 110 around 9:00 this morning when he suffered an apparent heart attack, lost control of his car and crossed through several lanes of traffic. Two people suffered non-life threatening injuries in the resulting seven car pile-up, Arlington police said in a statement.

Moss was rushed to a local hospital while paramedics performed CPR. He was later pronounced dead.

Photo courtesy ARLnow.com commenter “Jeff”

BREAKING NEWS — Multi-Vehicle Accident on I-66

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 9:45 a.m.) A four-car accident with injuries has occurred on eastbound I-66 near the Roosevelt Bridge and the ramp to Route 110.

Initial reports suggested one vehicle flipped over — if so it has since been righted. We’re also hearing that CPR was performed on one victim, and that he was rushed to the hospital in full cardiac arrest. (See update here)

The vehicles involved in the accident include a Porsche, a Mercedes-Benz, an Acura and a minivan. Three other cars with no immediately visible signs of damage are also stopped at the accident scene.

Only one travel lane currently gets by at the accident scene.

Traffic on eastbound I-66 is being diverted onto Spout Run. Delays start at Sycamore Street/East Falls Church Metro.

Update at 10:05 a.m. — Traffic is back open on I-66 at Spout Run.

Update at 11:05 a.m. — Still just one lane getting by as flatbed trucks continue to take the damaged cars away.

Update at 1:30 p.m. — All lanes are back open.

Police Investigate Death at Kettler Capitals Iceplex

By ARLnow.com

Police are investigating a death that occurred at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Ballston just before noon today.

A man in his 20s or 30s suffered some sort of a medical emergency in the complex. Paramedics performed CPR on the man, believed to be a youth hockey coach, and took him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The incident happened while the Washington Capitals were practicing in an adjacent rink. Police have confirmed that they’re investigating a death, but have not released any other details.

Detectives were on scene taking statements from witnesses earlier this afternoon.

Update at 5:30 p.m. — As first reported by DCist, the man who died has been identified as Kettler Capitals Iceplex hockey director Brian St. Louis.

St. Louis has also been serving as a youth hockey coach for the Washington Little Capitals.

The following has been posted on the Little Capitals web site:

The Washington Little Capitals, the Kettler Capitals Iceplex and the DC hockey community lost a great person today when Brian St. Louis passed away unexpectedly in Arlington, Va.

The Little Caps organization and the Kettler Capitals Iceplex extend their deepest sympathies to Brian’s wife, Emily, and his surrounding family and friends.

Coach St. Louis spent eight years with the Little Caps organization as a player, team captain, assistant coach, head coach and hockey director. Two years ago Coach St. Louis made a career transition when he became the hockey director at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex.

Brian’s passion for the sport of hockey and the people involved will long be remembered in this area.

Funeral arrangements and other information will be passed along when finalized.

Police Perform CPR on Man Found Unresponsive in Four Mile Run

By ARLnow.com

Police had to resuscitate a man Sunday morning after passersby spotted him sitting motionless in Four Mile Run near Shirlington.

The man rolled face down into the creek after officers arrived around 8:00 a.m. As onlookers gathered on the bike path above, officers pulled the man from the water and began performing CPR.

The man was alive when he was taken to the hospital, although his condition is unknown at this time.

Police say they believe he was under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

Photo courtesy of Richard Burgess.