A family vacation in the Binyamina area turned into a medical emergency Sunday evening when a United Hatzalah volunteer's wife suffered a severe electrical shock. The 26-year-old woman was electrocuted while cleaning the floor after an electrical cable made contact with water, causing her to collapse and lose consciousness.
Her husband, a United Hatzalah EMT and volunteer, immediately retrieved the automated external defibrillator he carries as part of his service. After delivering a single shock with the device, her heart resumed beating and she regained consciousness.
An ambulance crew arrived shortly after and provided additional treatment before transporting her in stable condition to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center for further evaluation and observation.
The volunteer described the experience, saying, "As a United Hatzalah volunteer, I've responded to many difficult emergencies and provided rapid medical care, but nothing prepares you for the moment when the patient is your own wife. In those seconds, the adrenaline takes over and you rely on the training we've received through the organization. The moment I connected the AED that United Hatzalah issued to me and delivered the shock, I saw her begin breathing again and open her eyes. It was nothing short of a miracle. I have no doubt that the equipment I carry because of United Hatzalah, together with the immediate response, saved her life."
United Hatzalah noted that the incident highlights the importance of equipping volunteers with advanced lifesaving equipment, including AEDs that responders carry at all times. The organization stated: "This remarkable case demonstrates once again how vital immediate access to advanced medical equipment can be. The volunteer's quick thinking and prompt use of the defibrillator saved a life in the fullest sense of the word."