Quick and efficient response by two Island County Sheriff’s Office deputies to a medical emergency in April resulted in Deputy Darren Crownover and Reserve Deputy Scott Fortin receiving county commendations.

Responding to a report of domestic violence in the late evening on April 30, Crownover and Fortin, along with deputy John Nieder, found themselves in the same neighborhood as the medical call. A North Whidbey woman had reportedly stopped breathing and was racked with convulsions.

“Deputy Crownover, a certified Red Cross CPR and First Aid instructor, was well aware of the likely response time for medical units to this emergency, and how important it is to commence CPR as soon as possible,” Sheriff Mike Hawley told a packed house during a brief ceremony at a recent meeting of the Island County commissioners.

Crownover responded to the medical call, advising Fortin and Nieder to continue their investigation in his absence.

“Arriving one minute later, Deputy Crownover immediately started CPR on the unresponsive woman,” Hawley said. “He also summoned the aid of deputies Nieder and Fortin. They arrived prior to the medical units and Deputy Fortin began chest compressions while Deputy Crownover continued to provide air. Deputy Nieder provided radio updates for the incoming units.”

North Whidbey Fire and Rescue medical personnel and Whidbey General Hospital paramedics arrived on the scene approximately five minutes later, bringing much needed equipment and expertise. The collective effort successfully revived the woman.

“Medical personnel have acknowledged that the timely response and actions of these deputies were instrumental in securing the woman’s resuscitation and recovery,” Hawley said.

“I believe that without the heroic efforts of Deputy Crownover and his team, this patient would not have had such a favorable outcome,” the sheriff said, quoting Whidbey General Hospital EMS Manager Roger Meyers.

Robert Oppenheim, whose wife Emma received the timely medical attention, personally extended his gratitude to the pair of deputies.

“These two people saved my wife and I really want to thank them very much,” Oppenheim said. “Not only were they first responders, they were fast responders.”

Potential tragedy was avoided by the experience and professionalism of the deputies, the husband added.

Crownover downplayed his role in the heroic revival, although the incessant applause in the courthouse annex basement on Monday suggested that the humility was ill-placed. He credited the woman’s husband and son for recognizing the tell-tale signs of an impending medical emergency.

“If you look at Red Cross training, it talks about recognition of an emergency,” said the self-effacing deputy, who years earlier successfully delivered a baby while on duty. “They realized something was wrong that day, they called 911, and they got that early recognition going; they got 911 advanced life support started.”

Crownover also doled out praise to the dispatchers on duty the evening of the incident. Dustin Soptich, who initially took the call, gave the husband pre-arrival instructions to open his wife’s airway and prepare the woman for emergency medical care.

“Also, Susan Elsey, the dispatcher that day, who knew that we were in the area and knew to dispatch us to that call,” the deputy said.

Fire and rescue personnel brought a much-needed piece of equipment in the form of an automated external defibrillator, which was instrumental in saving the woman’s life.

“As soon as they put that AED on there, it provided that life-giving shock,” he added.

Heaping praise on everyone involved in the successful resuscitation, the deputy commended the medics for providing additional equipment and expertise.

“I think everybody has to be looked at as playing a part,” Crownover said.