A visitor from Washington state said it is a miracle that he is alive. On Friday, Oct. 1, Patrick Barrett was getting ready to fly back home from Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport when he went into cardiac arrest at the airport’s ticket counter.
Airport staff and firefighters acted quickly to get his heart beating again and take him to a hospital. The heroic act was made possible by a machine anyone can use if the time comes. “One minute the lights are out and you wake up to these guys; they’re a good group,” Patrick said. He said he does not remember collapsing at the Hawaiian Airlines ticket counter, but his wife Lois has it burned into her mind.
Patrick’s heart had stopped. Fortunately, the ticket agent, a porter and a security guard jumped into action and started chest compressions.