Golf pro honored for life-saving action

A special recognition ceremony was held during the Jan. 20 Yuma City Council meeting, honoring city employee Richard "Rich" Walton for his efforts to save a man's life earlier this month.

On Jan. 5 at 4:38 p.m., the Yuma Fire Department received a report of a person who had collapsed at Desert Hills Golf Course after playing a round of golf and was not breathing.

Desert Hills Golf Course, which is owned and operated by the city, is located at 1245 W. Desert Hills Drive.

YFD spokesman Mike Erfert said by the time paramedics had arrived on scene, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was already being performed on a male in his 60s.

An automated external defibrillator (AED), Erfert said, had also been brought from the clubhouse and attached to the victim by Walton, who is the Desert Hills golf pro. Walton had received AED training from the city of Yuma.

Before the paramedics got to the victim, the AED delivered a shock to his chest. Paramedics found the patient was again breathing and shortly regained consciousness.

"The AED is a treatment that has gone from the emergency room to the paramedic to where a person with average life-saving skills can render aid," Erfert said.

The victim, who had previously been in cardiac arrest, was able to talk to YFD personnel. He was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center for additional evaluation and has since been released from the hospital.

Erfert said the CPR being performed by the victim’s companions, the availability of the AED and Walton’s quick actions all combined to save a life.

"This is a textbook example of a witnessed cardiac arrest and all the right things that need to be done - the best possible outcome," Erfert said.

Jon Rittenburg, a certified specialist for Cardiac Science in Arizona, said AEDs are becoming as accessible in public places as fire extinguishers.

"That is a great thing. This is what we are all about," Rittenburg said. "(AEDs) are becoming more and more mainstream every day."

Walton’s actions were praised by the mayor and council, as well as other city of Yuma officials, during the ceremony. Rittenburg was also present to congratulate Walton and give him a life-saving award.

Rittenburg added he is the happiest guy in the world when he is told about one of the company's products saving a life. "It makes what I do worthwhile."

The YFD, through the city, has been working with Cardiac Science to have AEDs placed in more public places around town.

Walton was not available for comment for this story.