Quick reaction helps save former Newton YMCA CEO

In December of last year at the Newton YMCA, Marv Zimmermann, who was the CEO of the facility for 25 years, had a cardiac incident while on the racquetball court. The quick reaction of bystanders and staff as well as Newton public safety officials was recognized Friday.

The Newton YMCA was given a TWO90 Award from Cintas. The company recognizes when an automated external defibrillator (AED) is used within the first two minutes of a cardiac incident it can improve the chances of survival by 90 percent.

“The quicker you can get the AED on the patient the better chance they have to survive,” Stacy Hovey, general manager of Cintas, who supplies Newton YMCA with its AEDs, said.

In the case of Zimmermann, an AED was used and CPR was performed by bystanders. Those people were Brandon Hills, a full time police officer in Knoxville and Alex Latcham who is a part-time officer in Newton and works at the Newton prison.

“We didn’t expect that to happen that day,” Hills said.

After hearing someone say to call 911, Latcham and Hills sprang into action as well as Shelly Lolwing, who is a nurse and the first to provide CPR, to perform CPR and apply the AED device to Zimmermann.

“Within two-and-a-half minutes though Brandon Hills had that AED on Marv and actually went through the process and shocked him,” Newton YMCA CEO Lucas Hughes said.

Both Hills and Latcham attribute their training to being able to spring into action to provide the life saving measure for Zimmermann. With both being in law enforcement they have received training on the use of the AED.

“To us it is just normal to react,” Latcham said.

In terms of Zimmermann’s case the attendees of the presentation from Cintas said that what was performed on that day in December was important so saving Zimmerman’s life.

“It’s critical what those guys did. Early CPR and early AED use. With those two together you have got a pretty good chance,” account executive with Cintas Mark Kline said.

This even that occurred at the Newton YMCA highlighted the importance of knowing how to use the AED as well as performing CPR. Whether the bystanders knew Zimmermann personally or not they all pitched in to help save his life

“On their own accord they were willing to step in and use their talents and their skills to help me out,” Zimmermann said.

All told the actions of everyone involved with this situation came together and worked as a team to help someone in need. Looking ahead Hughes said knowing their are members who care about the well being of others is good.

“I am just eternally grateful that they were there at that moment and that time and we are very appreciative that we have members who care about everybody in this building. We are thankful that Marv is up and well and that he can continue to be a part of our YMCA’s tradition,” Hughes said.

Contact Dustin Teays at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or dteays@newtondailynews.com