A Life Saved in Seconds
- Category: Health Education, Trauma Center, Heart & Vascular, Primary Care
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How Chad Babin Survived Sudden Cardiac Arrest – And What To Do If It Happens Near You
Most cardiac arrests don’t happen in hospitals. They happen in the places where we live and gather every day – a gym, a basketball game, a church, a grocery store.
For Chad Babin, it happened at the gym – during a normal day. At just 44 years old, Chad exercised regularly, ate well, and had no reason to believe he would have a heart attack. That morning, he strapped himself into a rowing machine to begin his workout ... and then collapsed.
What happened next – saved his life. Thanks to the quick action of others and a nearby AED, Chad is still here.
When Every Second Counts
Sudden cardiac arrest can look like a heart attack, but it is not the same. Sudden cardiac arrest is when an electrical failure in the heart causes it to stop beating suddenly, cutting off blood flow to the brain and body. Without immediate action, it is fatal.
Chad doesn’t remember collapsing, but his fellow gym-goers jumped in and began CPR – while another person located an AED (automated external defibrillator) and brought it to Chad’s side.
The AED delivered a shock that restored a faint pulse just as responders arrived.
All of this took place in about 15 minutes – that's how quickly a normal day can transform into an emergency. It’s also how quick actions and basic first aid response can save a person’s life.
How to Respond If Someone Collapses
You don’t need years of medical training to save a life. You just need to act.
If you ever see someone suddenly collapse, become unresponsive, or gasp for breath that doesn’t look normal, follow these steps immediately:
Step One: Call 911
- Tell the dispatcher:
- Someone is unresponsive
- They may be in cardiac arrest
- The location of where you are
It is important to always have awareness about where you are – whether it is the name and address of the location, the street name, or the nearest landmark. This information is vital for dispatchers to direct responders to you as quickly as possible.
Step Two: Begin Hands-Only CPR
- The basics of CPR are:
- Place your hands in the center of the chest
- Push hard and fast at 100-120 compressions per minute
Experts suggest pushing hard and fast to the beat of a song like “Stayin’ Alive”
Compression – made fully and in the correct place – are important because they keep oxygen flowing to the brain until help arrives. Performing hand-only CPR can be exhausting – if there is someone else who knows CPR, take turns performing compressions.
Step Three: Shock with an AED
- To use an AED:
- Turn it on
- Follow the voice prompts
- Remember, the device will only deliver a shock if one is needed. Don’t worry about using an AED on someone who does not need a cardiac shock.
AED are commonly found in gyms, schools, offices, churches, and public buildings. While AED may look intimidating, they are designed for anyone to use. It is important to continue to perform CPR until the AED is located and ready to shock.
Early AED use saves lives. If someone is experiencing a cardiac emergency, remember:
Call. Push. Shock.
For Shock to Survival
After Chad was stabilized at the hospital, he and his wife faced a life-changing decision. Chad needed open-heart surgery, the question was where to get it?
Chad was referred to Dr. Lugo at Lake Charles Memorial Health System. Dr. Lugo’s confidence and clarity helped Chad and his family make the decision to stay close to home for his surgery. Just three days after his collapse at the gym, Chad underwent a double bypass surgery that saved his life.
His recovery was supported by a care team he describes as compassionate, reassuring and deeply committed – people who felt like family during one of the most vulnerable moments of his life.
The Lesson Chad Wants Everyone to Hear
Looking back over his experience, Chad shares one message again and again:
“Know your family’s heart history. Get the tests. Do the stress test. Get the calcium scan. Catch it early.”
Heart disease doesn’t always come with earning signs – even for people who appear healthy. But early screening can identify risks before a life-threatening event occurs.
Why CPR and AED Awareness Matters
Chad is alive today because:
- Someone recognized cardiac arrest
- Someone acted instead of standing by
- Someone called 911
- Someone started CPR
- Someone knew where the AED was
This combination saved his life. Learning CPR is an important skill to have – and knowing where AEDs are in places you spend time often can make you the difference between life and death for someone else.
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Together, we can save lives – one call, one compression, one shock at a time. For more information about CPR training or AED education, click here.
Heart disease often develops silently, but early detection can save lives. Whether you have a family history, are experiencing symptoms, or simply want peace of mind, the cardiology team at Memorial Heart & Vascular Center is here to help.
Our specialists offer advanced diagnostic testing, personalized treatment plans and life-saving cardiac procedures – all close to home.
Don’t wait for a warning sign to take action. Schedule a heart screening or speak with your provider about your cardiovascular risk today.
