I’m Still Here! Surviving Cardiac Arrest with Tracey Conway
Seattle Branch AAUW February 18, 2023
Our February meeting featured Tracey Conway talking about the time she literally “dropped dead” after one of the “Almost Live” shows in January of 1995. She acted in and wrote for this incredible Seattle-based show and even won an Emmy for her talents.
Being a comedian, there were many comic elements to this near tragic story.
The “dropping dead” part was not in the script. She was only 38 when she suffered from severe sudden cardiac arrest. It was due to a volunteer fireman in the audience that she is alive today. He told them to call 911 and started CPR. When the medics arrived, they declared her “dead” but continued CPR and started using the defibrillator. Time was ticking and she was not coming around. After a full 20 minutes and six or seven defibrillation attempts her heart started beating again.
Conway told us a lot of what she has learned since about heart health and encouraged everyone to learn about CPR, because you never know when you will be the one in the room who can help. Also that defibrillation machines are easier to use now and come with verbal instructions to help the rescuer along before 911 arrives.
The video of her presentation is very good so please watch it.
Check out her website at https://www.traceyconway.com/