Quick-thinking Barrington kids save dad after cardiac arrest

When Barrington resident Tom Gould suffered cardiac arrest last month, his children were the first to rush to his aid and kick off a chain of events that ultimately saved his life.

On Monday, Gould choked back tears as he thanked Brendan, 16, and Grace, 12, and the Barrington first responders who kept him alive.

"I thank Brendan and Grace, who under the most trying of circumstances remained calm and cool and did what needed to be done," Gould said during a ceremony before the Barrington village board. "Thank you very much."

Everything about the response to Gould's cardiac arrest went correctly, which is why he is alive today, Barrington Fire Chief Jim Arie said. The response was a perfect example of what the American Heart Association calls the "chain of survival."

"By any definition this is the optimal outcome for what we always hope happens," he said. "The chain of survival, you can check them off with what took place and all were very well performed and the end result is exactly what we would hope it would be."

The first link was Brendan and Grace, who realized their 56-year-old dad was seriously ill and called 911.

A police dispatcher talked Brendan through the second link in the chain, which was performing CPR until first responders could arrive.

And as her brother did the chest compressions on their unresponsive father, Grace went outside to wave down police and fire personnel who were speeding to their home.

Police arrived first and took over CPR until an ambulance equipped with a defibrillator arrived. After four zaps with the defibrillator, Gould's heart started beating again.

"In Barrington we are blessed to have well-trained and well-resourced police and fire departments," Gould said Monday night. "I and my family are thankful for their expertise and diligence in their efforts to keep me alive."

Gould, who was rushed that day to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital for extensive post-cardiac arrest care, said his doctors have told him he will make a full recovery.

Gould thanked the nurses and doctors at Good Shepherd, as well as neighbors who rallied to help his family.

"Meals, prayers, rides for the kids were constant and a true blessing for us all," he said. "Your prayers were felt and they sustained us."

Gould's voice broke again thanking his wife, Noreen.

"Without (your) love, spirit, prayers and determination in the face of a most difficult situation I would not be here today," Gould said.

Brendan and Grace were given plaques for bravery they showed. Arie said it would have been easy for either of them to panic, but they both handled themselves well.

A video of the presentation can be found on the village's website.