A hiker in the United States (US) had a scary moment when he ‘died’ for 45 minutes before his heart started functioning again.
Michael Knapinski, 45, climbed Mount Rainier National Park on November 7 before being found and rescued by a naval rescue team. He was at that time in a state of lifelessness and cold.
Paramedics flew the man to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington before doctors performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and used a respirator.
Knapinski was lucky when after 45 minutes of trying to save his life, the man’s heart started beating again.
“Michael was unconscious, had extreme hypothermia and his heart stopped shortly after he arrived at the ER (Emergency Room),” said Dr. Jenelle Budulak, an intensive care unit doctor.
“But, he did have a pulse and no major injuries so we all immediately thought of EMCO,” she added.
After the treatment was given, Knapinski regained consciousness two days later and has since been discharged.
“When I woke up, I just really didn’t comprehend what had happened,” Knapinski said.
“I’m extremely grateful to everybody here at the hospital for not giving up on me. I’m alive and breathing,” he added.
Knapinski likes to climb at least once every two weeks as a way of living a healthy lifestyle.
It is understood Knapinski from Woodinville was separated from his hiking partner at Muir Snowfield before continuing on to Paradise, an area on the southern slopes of the mountain where they were supposed to meet again.
However, Knapinski did not show up before his friend enlisted emergency help to track him down.
“I’m not sure what happened. I think I fell,” Knapinski said as he tried to remember the incident.
Source: CNN, The Sun UK