"Elated CPR activist revels in success as Everest defibrillator prevents French mountaineer's peril"
A man from Surrey, England, who installed a defibrillator on Mount Everest, has expressed joy after learning it was utilized to save the life of a French female climber. David Sullivan, a roofer by trade, was contacted by a sherpa regarding the medical emergency, where the defibrillator was successfully employed.
Sullivan shared with the BBC that installing the device on the mountain, at an altitude of 16,400ft (5,000m), was the "most amazing thing [he's] ever done." Additionally, a man from the Netherlands apparently aided the rescue effort, assisted by an Austrian climber, during the medical emergency.
The defibrillator installation was part of a broader initiative by Sullivan. Last month, on April 12, he embarked on a groundbreaking expedition to deliver the defibrillator to Mount Everest. During his trip, he trained over 260 Nepalese locals, sherpas, and foreign climbers in CPR and the use of the defibrillator. Sullivan's goal was also to break the Guinness World Record for highest altitude CPR training, a record currently under verification.
Sullivan became an unintentional CPR specialist after performing CPR on a young man for nine minutes and using a defibrillator on a golf course seven years ago. This event inspired him to become involved in resuscitation education and advocacy, driven further by the tragic loss of four close friends, all under the age of 46, to cardiac arrest.
In his efforts to improve cardiac arrest survival rates, particularly in challenging environments, David has developed a cabinet designed to house defibrillators in extreme conditions. The cabinet, a product of Creating Lifesavers, utilizes advanced materials commonly found in space missions to keep devices operational at an optimal temperature without power.
David continues his mission to educate others on life-saving skills through Creating Lifesavers, his company focused on empowering individuals to respond in an emergency situation.
David Sullivan, a resident of Oxted, England, garnered international recognition for his advocacy work in CPR awareness and the installation of defibrillators in remote, high-risk areas like Mount Everest, motivated by personal loss and a desire to improve survival rates for cardiac arrest victims, especially in challenging settings.
His advocate journey began after he saved a man's life on a golf course by performing CPR and using a defibrillator, a life-changing event that set him on a path of public health initiatives. Most recently, Sullivan made headlines with the installation of defibrillators on Mount Everest to help climbers experiencing cardiac distress at high altitudes.
This project is part of a larger endeavor to address the low cardiac arrest survival rate in the UK, significantly lower than in countries like Scandinavia, the United States, and Canada, where survival rates reach 50-60%.
Through his organization, Code Blue CPR, Sullivan provides training for individuals, employees, students, and community groups, with a focus on teaching both CPR and defibrillator usage for emergencies where immediate medical assistance is unavailable, like mountains, golf courses, and remote locations.
Sullivan’s efforts on Everest have significant implications for mountain safety, as cardiac events are a risk for climbers due to the combination of exertion, altitude sickness, and underlying health conditions. The availability of defibrillators at high altitude can significantly improve survival rates for those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. In addition to providing lifesaving equipment, Sullivan's efforts raise awareness of the importance of emergency preparedness and training among climbers and support staff.
- David Sullivan's advocacy work for CPR awareness has expanded to include medical-conditions and health-and-wellness, particularly in high-risk environments like Mount Everest, with the goal of improving the health of climbers and reducing fatalities due to cardiac arrest.
- The installation of defibrillators on Mount Everest is part of a broader initiative started by David Sullivan, known for his work in fitness-and-exercise and sports, which aims to increase public access to these life-saving devices in remote locations.
