The Seminole County Fire Department and staff from Advent Health Altamonte recently reunited with a patient to celebrate his life being saved. On August 19, 2024, just before 11 a.m., 52-year-old Seminole County resident Herbert Dixon suffered a severe asthma attack. His wife reported his face was turning purple and he was unable to use his inhaler. When Seminole County Fire Department (SCFD) crews arrived, he was found sitting up against the bed and a dresser. He was unresponsive with shallow respirations. Dixon took one last breath and then stopped breathing (apneic). Crew members immediately began Advanced Life Saving protocols including providing respirations via a bag valve mask (BVM) and establishing an IV via I/O. He was in respiratory arrest due to an asthmatic episode. The crews continued ALS treatment enroute to Advent Health hospital in Altamonte, including giving several lifesaving medications resulting in the patient ultimately being able to breathe on his own.   

“I feel blessed to be here another day and I thank the Seminole County Fire crews and the healthcare staff at Advent Health Advent,” said Dixon. “Seeing them is surreal and makes me so thankful for my life as I know how precious and precarious life can be.”