Survivor stories

Darrel Arnold

11 Jul 2007
Submitted by: Darrel Arnold, 34
Orange County, CA

Darrel Arnold thought he was invincible — until he collapsed on the sidelines while coaching a baseball game last summer. The 34-year-old high school history teacher and baseball coach had suffered sudden cardiac arrest.

A co-worker started cardiopulmonary resuscitation, while two others scaled a construction fence to get an AED from the athletic director’s office. They were able to shock Darrel and continue CPR until paramedics arrived.

Darrel spent six days in the hospital. He now has a pacemaker and an implanted defibrillator to address any future problems with his heart’s electrical system.

His recovery has taken longer than he’d like and includes some lifestyle restrictions. No driving for seven months. No carrying his three-year-old daughter on his shoulders. No push-ups or chest exercises.

“I can’t put any stress on my chest,” he says.

But Darrel isn’t letting that negatively affect his attitude. He has become active in a victim’s advocacy group and is working to implement AED programs in Orange County schools.

“I was very fortunate,” he says. “I have a different perception of what’s important in life.”