On Monday, April 1, Anthony Kerns meet with the first responders who helped save his life. He experienced cardiac arrest while running in a 5K in Safety Harbor in February 2019, and thanks to the quick response, he has made a full recovery in only a few weeks.

Kerns met the first responders from Sunstar Paramedics and Safety Harbor Fire Department whose life-saving actions were vital to his survival and recovery.

Kerns was running in a 5K on Feb. 2, 2019 when he collapsed in cardiac arrest. A nurse who was running behind him began to administer CPR. The Sunstar Paramedics special events team, led by Stephen Glatstein, was posted on site at the 5K and quickly responded.

The special events recognized that Kerns was in a lethal heart arrhythmia, defibrillated him and provided life-saving cardiac support. Kerns regained circulation and consciousness at the scene. He was then transported to Mease Countryside Hospital, where he was evaluated, stabilized and prepared to be transported to Morton Plant Hospital for open heart bypass surgery.

Kerns has successfully recovered and recently returned to work.

His story underscores the positive impact of bystander CPR, early defibrillation and the high-quality care provided by the Pinellas County EMS system.