Family Thanks Crews Who Saved Father's Life During Cardiac Arrest at Church

CONROE, TX -- As Joseph Prihoda and his wife, Debbie, drove to church on a Wednesday last May, they had no idea how their seemingly uneventful day would turn out. During his wife’s choir practice, Mr. Prihoda went into cardiac arrest. As he lay unconscious, 911 dispatcher Rudy Garza talked the people surrounding him through CPR. Thankfully, Mr. Prihoda’s daughter, who had recently taken a CPR class, a former nurse, and a church volunteer jumped into action. The church was also outfitted with an AED, so he could not have been in a better situation under the circumstances.

“According to statistics from the American Heart Association, only 9% of patients who suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are ultimately discharged from the hospital,” said Nick Smith, MCHD Division Chief of the Clinical Department. “So, the fact that you are here with us today is exceedingly rare. The fact that you had immediate bystander CPR and an AED nearby was crucial to your survival and how well you are doing today.”

As MCHD Paramedics and Conroe Firefighters took over Mr. Prihoda’s care, he started waking up and fighting back – which is a really good sign in someone who has just suffered cardiac arrest. After administering medications to keep Mr. Prihoda calm and while monitoring his vital signs, MCHD EMS transported him to the hospital.

Last Friday, under much happier circumstances, Mr. Prihoda and his wife reunited with MCHD EMS and Conroe Fire Department.

“I just want to thank all of you so much for what you did for our family,” Mrs. Prihoda said. “You came in and took over for my daughter with the AED, just when she needed you… We are all just so grateful for my husband’s life.”

MCHD would like to thank all of the first responders involved in Mr. Prihoda’s care:

MCHD Paramedics

District Chief Ryan Davenport

In-Charge Paramedic Reiley Davis

Attendant Paramedic Mary Hebert

Attendant Paramedic Chelsie Bilger

MCHD 911 Dispatch Center

ALARM Medic II Rudy Garza

Conroe Fire Department

Charles Bruner

Kaleb Dodd

Braylan Senchal

Josh Johnson