Respiratory therapist helps save life of local gym enthusiast

If it had been any other day, there may have been a different outcome.

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

There were so many reasons why things may have gone differently. Earlier this month, IU Health respiratory therapist Ryan Dalle was in the right place at the right time.

She was at a McCordsville, Ind. gym when she noticed a man working out on a treadmill begin collapsing to the floor.

“I was on an exercise bike, head down, music up in my own little world,” said Dalle, who has been a respiratory therapist for 26 years. She joined IU Health in 2002. “I didn’t know if it was his blood sugar, or if he’d tripped and fell. I just knew someone needed help and helping others is what I’m trained to do,” said Dalle. “I immediately asked if he was OK and ‘do you need an AED?’” An AED is an Automated External Defibrillator, a portable, life-saving device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. The device analyzes the heart rhythm and delivers an electrical shock if necessary to restore the normal heat beat.

“He was turning purple and was moaning, as we got him to the floor,” said Dalle. “We attached the AED and it advised a shock was needed and we immediately started compressions. I was doing compressions and yelled to see if anyone else could assist. Another man came to assist and we continued seamlessly,” said Dalle. The gentleman was shocked again while EMS was enroute. They arrived within eight minutes and took over. By the second round of compressions, Dalle said the man came back around, was in recovery position and EMS applied oxygen. EMS personnel also applied their defibrillator pads and through an EKG could tell that the man had suffered a heart attack.

“When they took him out, he was more pink and alert,” said Dalle, 48. “From the time he collapsed, to the time of the first shock and compressions, it was under three minutes. That makes all the difference.”

What’s strange to Dalle is the way things fell into line that Tuesday morning. She learned that the gym was not the man’s home gym – he just happened to be there on that particular day. She also learned that the gym owner was headed to another gym that morning and decided at the last minute to make a U-turn and check in on that location. Dalle also changed her normal routine. “I was going to go earlier but decided to go later than I usually do. I can’t help but think this was a God thing – that everything was aligned to happen at this time and place.”

Dalle grew up in Ohio and originally worked as a travel respiratory therapist. In the spring of 2002, she signed on with IU Health permanently. She met her husband, Heath at IU Health. They have been married 19 years, and he now works at another hospital. They have one son, Jacob, 17.

Dalle recently had the opportunity to meet with other respiratory therapists on her team and share her experience.

“This has brought to light a passion in my heart for the lay person to get ALS trained because time is everything,” said Dalle. “It makes me sad that you have a gym of 20 people and a man had a heart attack. What if I wasn’t there?”

Sarah Young, Dalle’s supervisor said: “When moments matter most, true professionals rise to the occasion. The past 24 years of Ryan’s career at IU Health have shaped her into exactly the kind of clinician you want by your side in a crisis. Her CPR performance was textbook - precise, confident, and ultimately lifesaving. Ryan didn’t just do her job that day. She embodied the very best of who we strive to be. We are incredibly proud to be part of Ryan’s team and grateful for the excellence she brings to IU Health every single day.”

IU Health requires all respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy assistants to complete an American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) course, said Cheri Bate, respiratory care manager. They refresh their skills quarterly.

“I went into respiratory therapy because I knew I wanted to help people,” said Dalle who works inpatient. “I absolutely love my beside care. That’s why I’m here. I like that I always have to think. I love the nurses I work with, and my fellow respiratory therapists and we have an amazing leadership team.”

Since the life-saving incident, Dalle learned that the gentleman is recovering from heart surgery.