“I Would Have Died . . .”

June 19, 2014—Today Jeff Krasner, 55, of Ashland, Mass., can count himself  lucky.

He’s among the 10% who have survived sudden cardiac arrest. Last month, Krasner was home watching the History Channel with his teenage daughter when he started making strange noises. She screamed to her mother, Julie Krasner, who called 911 and started CPR. Minutes later, the Ashland Police arrived with one of their new AED Plus^® automated external defibrillators, purchased with a state grant and donations.

  Jeff and Julie Krasner

Photo Credit: Art Illman, MetroWest Daily News

Officers continued CPR and administered shocks, which eventually restarted Krasner’s heart. Paramedics arrived a short time later and transported Krasner to MetroWest Medical Center, where he underwent an emergency angioplasty and stent procedure.

Immediate CPR and the AED Plus are credited with greatly improving Krasner’s chances for a full recovery. “I would have died,” Krasner said. “I don’t think there is any other way to say it.”