Local Volunteer Survives Cardiac Arrest, Reunites With Lifesaving EMS Team

In June, during the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field, volunteer Dan Pritchard collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest. Immediate intervention by Eugene Springfield Fire EMTs and paramedics, including consistent high quality chest compressions aided by mechanical CPR equipment and quick transport to RiverBend Medical Center, helped return his circulation and ultimately save his life. Months after the incident Pritchard reunited with the crew who cared for him, a meeting that underscored both the skill of emergency responders and the fragility of cardiac arrest outcomes.

Emergency crews arriving at a crowded event faced the challenge of delivering uninterrupted compressions while managing crowd safety and coordinating rapid transport. The use of mechanical CPR devices allowed providers to maintain consistent compressions during moving care and in tight operational environments. Hospital teams at RiverBend continued advanced cardiac care upon arrival. Their joint work illustrates the continuum of care that is essential for survival when every minute counts.

For residents of Lane County the episode is a clear reminder that survival from out of hospital cardiac arrest depends on a chain of timely actions. Those actions include immediate recognition, bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, early defibrillation when indicated, and rapid professional care. Large public events present both risks and opportunities. They concentrate trained personnel and resources, yet they also require pre event planning for medical emergencies, visible access to automated external defibrillators and staff briefed in basic life support.

The reunion also highlights broader public health and policy considerations. Local EMS agencies are managing high call volumes while balancing routine emergency response with staffing, equipment, and training needs. Investments in community CPR training, placement and maintenance of defibrillators in public spaces, and funding to sustain advanced prehospital capabilities are critical to improving outcomes countywide. Equitable distribution of those resources matters, because survival often depends on proximity to trained responders and lifesaving equipment.

Beyond logistics, the human element was central to this story. The meeting between Pritchard and the responders who worked to save him brought closure and gratitude to all involved, and it offered a tangible example of how coordinated public safety efforts can make the difference between life and death. For Lane County residents, the incident should prompt reflection about personal preparedness, the value of learning hands only CPR, and support for policies that shore up emergency medical services across the community.