JACKSON HOLE, WYO – The podcast hooked us from the opening line: “I really didn’t have any pain when I died,” said Mike Connolly.
Connolly is no longer dead. The 61-year-old suffered a massive heart attack while skinning up Maverick Peak back in early March. Teton County Search and Rescue (TCSAR) made it to the scene, performed CPR and saved his life.
How it all came together—from the call made by his wife, Julie, to park rescue ranger Scott Gunther and TCSAR medical director Will Smith recalling what they felt when they arrived on scene to find the victim unresponsive.
“We were able to get Mike rolled over. He had no pulse. He wasn’t breathing,” Connelly’s friend, John Cook, said. He and another friend began CPR immediately for about three minutes.
When help arrived via helicopter, Smith brought the AED (Automated External Defibrillator), hooked it up and was relieved to see the readout: “Shock Advised.” Smith called clear and jolted Connolly once. CPR was continued for another 10 minutes and Connolly eventually regained consciousness after 30 minutes and was short-hauled out.
Rebecca Huntington narrates the podcast called The Fine Line. It’s produced by Back Country Zero in cooperation with Search and Rescue. The Fine Line tells real stories of adventure, risk and rescue in the backcountry of Jackson Hole.
