L-R: Fire Chief Rick Brown, Police Sgt. Allison Schlie, Firefighter/Paramedic Mike Toon, Fire Lt. Janet Dreyer, Firefighter/Paramedic Matt Poppe, Kevin's Daughter Emily, Kevin Baum, Kevin's wife Ann, Police Lt. Steve Schueler, Deputy Josh Atwood, Deputy Tyler Warman, Fire Lt. Mike Bilkasley

Contact: Emily Schaffer, eschaffer@blueash.com, 745-6240

A 56 year-old man returned to Blue Ash on Thursday, February 12 to thank the first responders that helped save his life.

Kevin Baum describes himself as an active individual who exercises regularly, eats right, and stays away from alcohol and tobacco. “I felt pretty invincible to any health issues, even the common cold came once in a great while,” shared Baum. “I seldom saw a doctor. I couldn’t tell you my cholesterol level, blood pressure, or heart rate. But I could tell you I felt fine and enjoyed an active life.” Since 2005, Baum has run five marathons, five half-marathons, and countless 5K races..

Everything changed on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 8:58 AM when he collapsed and fell face-first onto the pavement during the annual Matthew 25: Ministries Fighting Hunger 5K race in Blue Ash. Baum was in sudden death cardiac arrest. Cori Williams and her 9 year-old daughter happened to be running behind Baum when he fell and immediately stopped to perform CPR. Another unidentified race participant also stopped to help perform mouth-to-mouth on Baum, while Hamilton County Deputies Tyler Warman and Josh Atwood ran from their traffic posts to help and called for more assistance by radio.

Within two minutes, Blue Ash Police and Fire were at the scene and quickly assisting Mr. Baum. Permanent brain damage begins after 4 minutes without oxygen, and death can occur as soon as 4-6 minutes later. Doctors later told Baum that his survival rate was approximately 10%, but the first responders provided him a better chance of survival because of their quick lifesaving procedures.

After using a LifePak 15 cardiac monitor to defibrillate Baum, Blue Ash EMS transported him to the hospital by 9:16 AM. Baum later received emergency 3-vessel coronary artery bypass graft surgery. He is now in cardiac physical therapy and plans on attempting to run another marathon before he reaches age 60. He now stresses the necessity of getting an annual physical, along with the importance of becoming CPR certified.

The Blue Ash Fire Department offers monthly CPR classes to the public. Visit www.blueash.com/fire for more information.