VIDEO: Off-duty Bonita firefighter saves heart attack victim at Germain Arena

Photo by MANUEL MARTINEZ

Right to left John Kutz Firefighter/Paramedic and Tim Bogacz Firefighter/EMT raise the flag for the first time in front of the new Bonita Springs Fire Station on March 31, 2010. After living in a mobile facility for six years the firefighters are all enthusiastic to move into the new facility. Manuel Martinez/Staff

BONITA SPRINGS — An off-duty Bonita Springs firefighter was the first to respond to a heart attack victim at Germain Arena.

Firefighter John Kutz, 26, was participating in a pickup hockey game when a 56-year-old man collapsed on the ice.

Kutz said the man began turning blue and was unresponsive.

He determined the man was suffering from a heart attack and began CPR.

One bystander located an automated external defibrillator at the arena, while another called 911, he said.

Kutz reported that the victim was breathing when Estero Fire rescuers arrived on the scene and began performing advanced life support on the man, while Kutz assisted.

By the time Lee County Emergency Management Services arrived, Kutz said the man was “almost fully alert.”

Lee County Emergency Management Services took the man to Lee Memorial, said Debbi Redfield, spokeswoman for Bonita Springs Fire district.

Kutz said it was fortunate that Germain Arena was equipped with defibrillators.

“Everyone should have them in their place,” he said.

Kutz also noted that well-trained Estero responders and his training might have saved the victim’s life.

“It was just a job well done by everyone,” he said.