+ Community
Kyle Perrotti | Mar 21, 2017

American Heart Association recognizes UAE man for saving a life

The American Heart Association (AHA) has recognized a man from the United Arab Emirates who has used his training to save the life of another person, as part of Heartsaver Month.

Heartsaver Month is celebrated each March in the Middle East.

Cpl. Mohammed Naji Ali Dabos saved a heart attack victim using the hands-free CPR techniques he learned during AHA training, according to an AHA announcement.

“This corporal is a true hero, not only to the patient, but also to his family,” Dr. Abdurazak Jumale, medical in charge, Airport Medical Center, Dubai Health Authority, said in the release. “He acted wisely and fast, which are two keys in increasing survival from cardiac events.”

More than 300 people were attended the hands-free method of CPR, a training that the AHA says can be vital to saving a life.

“Every second counts in a cardiac arrest,” Dr. Firas Al-Najjar, consultant for emergency medicine/residency program director, Rashid Hospital, Dubai Health Authority, said in the release. “Even those who have not been formally trained in conventional CPR with breaths can perform Hands-Only CPR, a simple, effective technique that physically pumps the heart, providing oxygenated blood to vital organs. And, since most cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital, the life saved is likely to be a family member or friend.”

Dabos noticed the heart attack as he was watching Dubai Police surveillance cameras and immediately dispatched a patrol car and an ambulance before applying what he learned in training.

“The most important part of any training is being able to recognize a situation and understand how to respond,” Dabos said in the announcement. “I feel fortunate to have undergone training that prepared me to be able to identify signs of a potentially fatal heart attack, and I encourage others to take such training because you never know when you might need the skills to save a life.”

Organizations in this story

More News