While off-duty and working out at a gym, Richlin Chan, a lieutenant from California State Prison-Sacramento, saw a man collapse to the floor. Chan went into action after a couple tried to help the man but were unsuccessful in reviving him.

“I observed a man collapse face down onto the floor between two elliptical machines. A man and woman nearby initially attended to the patient, believing he may have been experiencing a seizure,” Chan recounted of the April 21 incident. “They shouted for someone to call 911 as they knelt next to the patient. After about a minute of inaction, I decided to respond and directed the woman to stabilize the patient’s head to prevent injury (in case he was seizing).”

While the man remained unresponsive, he didn’t appear to be having a seizure.

“I reached my hand under his body to feel his chest for breathing. There was no rise and fall of the chest (while another) person shouted (there was) no pulse. I moved some equipment aside to create space and rolled the patient onto his back,” Chan said.

The patient’s face had turned blue so Chan immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). After several cycles of CPR, the man didn’t respond. In the meantime, an off-duty hospital nurse also pitched in to help.

Lieutenant takes charge of scene

Putting his training to work, Chan took charge of the scene. Assessing the area, he spotted a gym employee holding automated external defibrillator (AED).

“I (then) directed an off-duty Rocklin police officer kneeling next to me to take over chest compressions while I retrieved the AED,” he said. “(Next,) I applied the pads to the patient’s chest (and performed) another cycle of CPR. (Then,) I had the people surrounding the patient clear the area and delivered a shock, jolting his body upward.”

While checking the AED for a reset, the patient regained consciousness and began breathing during the next CPR cycle.

“While awaiting the arrival of Rocklin Fire Department and paramedics, I (retrieved) the patient’s identification from his backpack to provide to medical personnel,” he said.

The general manager of the gym was grateful for Chan’s quick actions.

The 61-year-old man had suffered a cardiac arrest, according to the manager.

“(The patient) was transferred by ambulance to Sutter Roseville for treatment shortly after (the cardiac event). He has since been released from the hospital and is doing well,” the manager wrote in an email to California State Prison-Sacramento. “Richlin Chan was a huge help. We appreciate his assistance during this emergency.”

Story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Office of Public and Employee Communications

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