Cattaraugus County deputies save man’s life with EpiPen
WEST VALLEY — Stanley Cizdziel was cutting trees on July 26 with a friend when they encountered a hive of bees. As they ran back to their truck, Cizdziel was stung approximately 15 to 20 times.
That’s the last thing he remembers from the incident. Without any warning or symptoms, he passed out — his face was swollen and blue and he was struggling to breathe. The friend laid him down next to the truck and called 911.
Cizdziel’s condition was critical as he lay unresponsive.
“An anaphylactic reaction is a severe allergic reaction where minutes can make the difference between life and death if someone does not receive epinephrine,” explained Dr. Brian Walters, medical director for the Sheriff’s Office. “This is a true time-sensitive medical emergency, and having access to this medication is crucial for survival.”
Fortunately for Cizdziel, this past spring the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office trained and equipped deputies with epinephrine auto-injectors, commonly known as EpiPens.
Dispatchers at the County 911 Center recognized the grave predicament Cizdziel was in. It was quickly ascertained that no one with Cizdziel had an EpiPen in hand, and dispatchers immediately called out emergency medical services (EMS) and routed deputies to the scene.
Deputy Andrew Schumaker arrived within minutes and began assessing and rendering care to Cizdziel, while relaying information over the radio that the man was suffering an anaphylactic reaction and needed epinephrine. Cizdziel was in and out of consciousness and having trouble breathing.
As Deputy Rachel Zimmer pulled up a minute later, she removed the epinephrine auto-injector from her vest, prepped it and had it ready for administration as she moved to the patient. An off-duty EMT and friend of Cizdziel was also at the scene and assisted deputies in administering the epinephrine and caring for him until EMS arrived 10 minutes later.
Cizdziel does not recall much from that day. He was unconscious for much of what happened as his blood pressure was critically low and not getting to his brain, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Shortly after receiving the epinephrine from deputies, he did briefly regain consciousness but was still confused and having trouble processing what was going on.
“All I remember is waking up and seeing badges all around me,” recalls Cizdziel as he described seeing their badges on their chests and on their shoulder patches.
He was transported to a hospital where treatment continued and he was monitored for several hours. An emergency department physician told him he would not be alive if deputies had not provided him with epinephrine so quickly.
Remarkably, he was released home from the ER later that same day.
Every year, deputies are called to respond to allergic reactions in the communities they serve. This prompted Sheriff Eric Butler to initiate the new program equipping deputies with EpiPens.
“Our deputies are always on the road patrolling rural areas of the county,” Butler said. “Deputies often arrive on scene to medical emergencies before EMS is available. Providing our personnel with the training and resources to save lives in the community is our priority.”
Several deputies have already responded to similar calls where either the patient was not severe enough to warrant an epinephrine auto-injector, or one had been self-administered by the patient prior to their arrival. But Cizdziel is the first patient that deputies administered epinephrine to.
“Within months of inception, this program has already had the effect we intended,” Butler said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to help Stan when he needed us most.”
Walters said it was “humbling to see how much deputies truly embrace their medical training because they want to help the community.”
In addition to epinephrine auto-injectors, deputies receive recurrent training in first-aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use, while also carrying naloxone (Narcan) for opioid overdoses.
“We are not just here to enforce the law,” Butler said. “We are here to protect the safety and welfare of all residents of the county. That includes assisting in treating their medical emergencies.”
Cizdziel returned to work right away and said he feels “back to normal,” with doctors saying it’s noteworthy that he has no residual side effects from the event. He and his wife, Kim, credit the deputies and the Sheriff’s Office’s new epinephrine program for his being here today.
Both deputies Schumaker and Zimmer have received service commendations from the Sheriff’s Office for their actions that day.
“Honest to God, they saved my life,” Cizdziel said.
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