Heart Attack Survivor Travels Interstate To Thank Paramus Rescuer

During the mayor and council meeting Tuesday, Mayor Richard LaBarbiera presented Paramus Rescue Squad member Brian Gatens with a commendation for saving the life of Virginia resident Jason Young.

According to Rescue Squad Chief Joe Hamlin, Young was celebrating with friends at Remington’s, a country-and-western bar on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., on April 21, when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest. 

Gatens, who was visiting the capitol with friends, happened to be upstairs in the karaoke section when he was alerted of the incident.      

"I was getting ready to sing some Johnny Cash and a friend of mine came up and said someone had collapsed," said Gatens, who responded by administering CPR and using a defibrillator. 

Young was not breathing and lacked a pulse, so the 11-year rescue veteran gave Young chest compressions until paramedics arrived.

Gatens, who according to his account, has already saved 8-10 lives, credited his training, and said his reaction is second nature when confronted with a life saving situation.

"My friends told me when he collapsed, I just had deadpan face and went into action," Gatens said. "That’s how we all are."

The day of the heart attack, Young was getting a call from President Obama's administration. They wanted to offer him a position with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but he could not answer. He was in a coma - for five days. 

Today, Young serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs. 

"I love the health stuff we do, and that's important, but this is real," Young said, adding he didn't change anything in lieu of his second lease on life. "I was leading a happy life, but to get a second chance even at the life you love is really special."  

Young’s amnesia did not preclude him from driving up from Virginia to the Paramus Mayor and Council meeting to thank Gatens in person for saving his life. 

"My doctor, my friends, everybody tell me tells me Brian made all the difference," said Young. "He did all the right things."

After the meeting the mayor of Paramus applauded Gatens's life saving efforts.

"Thank God he [Gatens] was there. There's a family who still has a family member as a result of Brian's training and quick action," said LaBarbiera. "I trust anyone who wears our uniform."

"We all have our success in business but I can't think of anything more humbling," LaBarbiera added. “We're just so proud to have him as a member of our rescue squad."