Pickleball 101
Saves a Life
Peter Boyd was teaching a “Pickleball 101”
clinic to a group of retired men from their
social club, The Catawbans, at Talbert
Rec Center in Mooresville, NC, when an
experienced player, Rick Briggs, passed
out. The Pickleball 101 class responded
by calling 9-1-1, administering CPR and
utilizing the AED until local responders
showed up to stabilize Rick. This led to a
good outcome—Rick entered rehab (OT and
PT) with short-term memory loss, having been
unconscious for more than 12 hours.
Rick’s wife expressed gratitude to the team for
saving her husband’s life. His cardiologist told
her there was only a two percent survival rate for
those with the same genetic heart condition. And
just last month, Rick was on the golf course!
Instructor Shawn Smith was quick to point out that the
chance for survival of a heart attack decreases 10 percent
every minute. The three-hour classes included CPR for
adults, children and infants, as well as AED training and
instructions on how to handle children who are choking.
Every student in the CPR class was equipped with a
mannequin, which was electronically controlled to advise
the student when compressions were fast and deep enough.
Pickleballers D.J. Douglas and David Hart won the exercise
for applying the AED pads, analyzing the patient and then
administering the shock treatment with a time of 21.4
seconds. Each unit provides audible instructions on what is
needed next.
For those who have had CPR classes in the past, guidelines
are changed every five years and much of the information
you had learned has changed. It’s highly recommended
that everyone stays up-to-date on what may be a lifesaving
experience for someone you know and love.
These men get together every Monday and Wednesday
to play at Talbert Rec Center in Mooresville, NC.
Front Row (l to r): Michael Benson, Rick Briggs, with paddle
signed by his lifesavers three weeks after his January 23
collapse, and Ron Monmaney. Middle Row (l to r): Pem
Andresen and Brian Harrison. Back Row (l to r): John Fike,
Steve Gilbert, Pete Boyd and Steve Tero.
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