It’s not uncommon for players to stretch during soccer tournaments. But something caught Kevin Fabrycki’s eye when he noticed a teammate lying in the grass on a Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District field in Beaverton last August.
As he approached, it became clear that something was wrong with Alireza Moghaddampour. Kevin checked Alireza’s pulse. Nothing. He immediately started CPR and yelled for help. Two people who heard his pleas were Jason Hubert and Allen Kennedy.
While no one wants to experience sudden cardiac arrest, if it happens, your chances of surviving are much better if someone sees it happen. Odds are better still if that someone immediately calls 911, starts CPR, and has an automated external defibrillator (AED). In Alireza’s case, his fellow soccer players who rendered aid were especially equipped to save his life.
Kevin Fabrycki is a fit, observant home builder. His keen eye and quick actions set in motion a series of vital steps.
Jason Hubert, the second person to provide Alireza with CPR, works as a Portland police officer in the Gang Enforcement Unit. He’s also a certified trainer who teaches other police officers how to do high-performance CPR.
Allen Kennedy is a division chief for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. In addition to fighting fires for 28 years, he has been a paramedic for 31 and is a PulsePoint Verified Responder.
On the day Alireza’s heart stopped, Allen was carrying the AED that was given to him by Philip’s Healthcare because of a partnership with the PulsePoint Foundation, TVF&R, and the International Association of Firefighters Local 1660, which equips more than 300 firefighters with the technology to respond to cardiac arrests in their community when they’re off duty.
After the trio performed several minutes of CPR, Allen was able to shock Alireza’s heart. The electricity prompted Alireza’s heart to start beating just as on-duty firefighter paramedics arrived. They continued caring for Alireza, who was transported to a nearby hospital to receive treatment from physicians.
Today, Alireza — who’s called Ali by his friends — is back to work as a Beaverton pharmacist and exercising regularly as part of his journey to return to the soccer field. He emerged from his brush with death without any deficits.
Allen Kennedy said, “This was the first significant emergency event I experienced off duty in over three decades of being involved in emergency services. It was amazing to witness our EMS system function from start to finish.”
On Monday, Alireza reunited with Kevin, Jason, and Allen and recalled the events of that day. “It was very emotional,” Alireza said. “I’m very thankful for all the people who came in and helped out. I’m really pleased to be here and pleased to be alive. Hopefully, I can do better things in life.”
By sharing his cardiac arrest survival story, Alireza hopes it will help save others. “This was an awakening,” he said. “It takes a team to save lives. Everybody has to do their part.”
TVF&R invites the public to join us in strengthening the chain of survival for cardiac patients. The public’s assistance in performing hands-only CPR until crews arrive can make a difference.
Hands-only CPR has just two easy steps: Call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of the disco song “Stayin’ Alive.”
Studies show that CPR can double or triple a cardiac arrest patient’s chance of survival. Every minute CPR is delayed, the chance of survival decreases by 10 percent.
Community members willing to perform CPR are encouraged to download TVF&R’s free PulsePoint smartphone application so that they can be alerted when someone needs this lifesaving assistance.