The staff and members who helped to save the life of Major Rick Hanna, who suffered cardiac problems on Jan. 22, 2011, were honored Feb. 24, 2011, at a ceremony held at Gainesville Health & Fitness. Those honored were staff members Patrick Noyes, David Mitchell, and Kristine Anderson, plus members Henri Belleville and Jill Carr.
As a thanks, the city named Feb. 24 “Gainesville Health & Fitness Day.”
According to the incident report, staff member Patrick Noyes ran to help Hanna after he had miss stepped and had fallen off the step mill. Noyes talked with Hanna who complained of stomach cramping and was given water and glucose tablets. Shortly after, Hanna began to seize.
Noyes directed staff member David Mitchell to call 911. Noyes began CPR as Hanna’s condition worsened. Mitchell retrieved the automated external defibrillator
(AED) and member Jill Carr came to assist. Off duty police officer, Henri Belleville helped as well, taking over chest compressions while Mitchell and Noyes used the AED machine with staff member Kristine Anderson helping with Hanna’s breathing. The group worked on Hanna until paramedics arrived.
In a letter to GHFC owner Joe Cirulli, Sheriff Sadie Darnell thanked Cirulli and his staff. “According to physicians, his survival is a direct result of the individuals involved. I want to add my formal expression of appreciation for the response in this particular incident. Also, for your foresight to predict prepare and plan for such an event by providing the needed emergency and training,” Darnell said in the letter.
See video of Maj. Hanna thanking his lifesavers here: http://www.ghfc.com/about/news/30/Major_Hanna_thanks_GHF_lifesavers/