MDA israel

Fahed Birumi (37) arrived at his nearby doctor's office complaining of chest pain. The doctor realized that Fahed is in a life-threatening condition and called for an MDA Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU). Alongside the ambulance, Fahed's brother, Ali, who is also an MDA EMT, arrived at the scene. 

Ali and the MDA team arrived together after just a few minutes, with Paramedic Michael Yohanov and Senior EMT Wared Abu Al Huf on the MICU. As soon as they arrived, Fahed suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed. After being shocked with a defibrillator, Fahed regained consciousness. 

The MDA team, along with Ali, started to convey Fahed to hospital, but his condition deteriorated again and he needed further resuscitation, including four shocks from the defibrillator, after each one he'd regain consciousness and then collapse again. Each time he had one request from his brother - "Look after my kids for me." 

After further treatment at hospital and making a recovery, Fahed was discharged home and went back into the arms of his family, thanks to the fast treatment provided by the MDA team and his brother Ali, who fought for his life. 

MDA Paramedic, Michael Yohanov: "When we arrived at the scene and started performing our initial checks, Fahed's brother Ali walked in. I saw that Ali was crying and then realized we were treating his brother. It was a complex situation, but we knew we had to keep our feelings in check and just work professionally. We fought for Fahed's life for a long time, both in the doctor's office and on route to hospital. I didn't leave Fahed or Ali until I knew that he had stabilized. Two days later I visited him on the ward, and I was overcome with emotion to see him smiling, healthy and happy." 

Ali Birumi, MDA EMT and Fahed's brother, told of the dramatic moments: "I was called to the doctor's office and found my brother in critical condition, he collapsed and need resuscitation. After the first shock he regained consciousness, but then collapsed again. It was a very difficult situation, he kept losing consciousness. I treated him with tears in my eyes, but I knew I had to keep fighting for his life, to make sure that my nephews wouldn't be orphans." 

Fahed Birumi was very emotional: "Michael and my brother are my lucky charms in life, it's thanks to them that I'm here. This small defibrillator makes the difference between life and death. The only thing I remember from the ambulance journey is my brother's voice, begging me to keep my eyes open. I had a huge miracle - I got my life back."