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Patient Story

Flight for Life

May 3, 2017

“Three percent of us actually survive the type of heart attack I had. I should not be here today. I was so, so lucky.”

Man flying over sunny mountains

Robert Lass had a very severe heart attack during a Northwood’s fishing tournament. Three percent of us actually survive the type of heart attack I had.  His heart stopped at the scene for the first of more than 20 times that day. After the Rescue 1 protocol was enacted, he was flown to Weston for advanced treatment by heart specialists on staff at Ministry Saint Clare’s Hospital. 

A combination of circumstances and an extraordinary heart team helped him survive what could have been a deadly event.

“I made it through because I was lucky enough to have just caught a fish. Then, because my fishing partner knew CPR, because the first responder lived two blocks away, because the people on the helicopter crew kept my heart going…and because once we landed, I was in surgery in minutes. Had all that not happened, I would not be here today. I should not be here today. I was so, so lucky.”