Man Meets Fred Meyer First Responders Who Saved His Life

Blinded by the Light: The sunshine blinds everyone as they pose for a photo amongst the Fred Meyer’s flowers. Left to Right: Amy Crichton-Tunai, Gary Navarre’s girlfriend Tricia Bert, Gary Navarre, Randall Carr, and Shelly Fisk. Not pictured: Jacyln LaMar

Gary Navarre, a Navy veteran, age 74, suffered a near-fatal heart attack at The Dalles Fred Meyer this spring. Last Tuesday, the 12th, he had the opportunity to say thank you to first aid and CPR trained Fred Meyer associates that brought him back to life- literally. The four Fred Meyers associates, Amy Crichton-Tunai, Randall Carr, Shelly Fisk and Jaclyn LaMar were recently recognized with a Citizen CPR Life Saving Award by Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue.

But while that day may be burned in their memories Navarre said he couldn’t actually recount that fateful day.

“I feel lucky. My doctor told me that only 15% of people that have a massive coronary survive,” said Navarre. “But I don’t remember anything from that day. I don’t remember going to Fred Meyer. I don’t remember getting my groceries and I don’t remember collapsing. They said I was trying to put groceries in the car when I collapsed. But I don’t remember. I just lost that whole period of time. The same thing happened in 2003,” said Navarre. 

This isn’t the first time Navarre has suffered a memory loss resulting from sudden death. 

“In 2003 I was driving and started getting very sleepy and my mouth was very dry, it was like I had cotton mouth. I remember that. And I was starting to nod off. I don’t remember it but I went to a 711 in Portland. I got a Dr. Pepper, got back in the car, I drank half of it. I don’t know what happened then, but I collapsed. I was two blocks from a brand new fire station. They were there in 3 minutes. They had to lift the car door open, pulled me out, cut my clothes, and shocked me,” said Navarre. 

Navarre had to undergo a triple bypass. When he came to the doctors told him he had suffered from sudden death syndrome (SDS). SDS is an umbrella term for a plethora of cardiac syndromes that cause sudden cardiac arrest. 

Pictured: Gary Navarre before his second cardiac arrest.

“I just remember waking up,” said Navarre. “Both my arteries were clogged last time. This time they think what happened was my potassium got too high and caused this heart attack. The doctor told me that I hurt my heart really bad and there wasn’t anything they could do for me. And I would never leave the hospital.”

Navarre’s potassium tested at 600 and doctors said that a healthy range for Navarre should have been about 320. This came as a shock to Navarre, who must undergo regular dialysis and hasn’t tested out of range for anything since he started the treatment.

“A week later the head of cardiology came in with a big grin on her face, and she said, well we don’t know what happened but she said your heart helped itself. It was still damaged but it was better than it was,” said Navarre. “I said so I got a chance? And she said, yeah you do. So I got an ICD.” 

An ICD is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator that is implanted under the skin to monitor the heart and administers a shock to the heart if the heart goes into cardiac arrest. 

Navarre’s girlfriend Tricia Bert, stayed with him at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) hospital as much as she could. Navarre said he and his girlfriend have been together for 2 years. Before that, he was married to his childhood sweetheart for 46 years.

“We got together at 16 and married at 18 and we were married for 46 years until I lost her to cancer,” said Navarre. “Then I met my girlfriend. What’s my secret? Treat your mate like she’s the queen of the world and you should have a good life. I treat my woman like a queen. I love her to death. And I think she loves me. She told me she does.” 

Navarre had to spend several weeks at OHSU undergoing numerous surgeries to recover from his most recent death and resurrection.

But with the help of his girlfriend, God, and his own fighting spirit, he hasn’t let his recent misfortune get him down. 

“You have to live every moment to the minute, you can’t waste your time because life isn’t very long,” said Navarre. 

“I always said I’ve had a good life and when the Lord is ready to take me I was ready to go,” said Navarre. “Well, when I died in 2003 when they brought me back and I said, no I’m not ready to go. I got a lot of life to live yet. So me and God had a talk, and I told him, I said, when you come you better bring lots of help because I’m not going easy. I’m going kicking and scratching.”

“And you know while I was in there, (this most recent time) him and I had another talk and I told him if he would save me, and let me live the rest of my life, however much that is supposed to be, that I would give my life to him,” said Navarre. “And he let me come home.” 

“And I never would have got that chance if it wasn’t for these guys. They saved my life and I know that and I appreciate that,” said Navarre to the Fred Meyer’s associates, whose quick thinking and knowledge of CPR saved his life. 

“You’re very welcome. It’s an honor,” said Carr. 

“It definitely took a team. We’re just really glad that you’re still around to tell your story and live your life. We’re thankful for the outcome,” said Crichton-Tunai. 

Now that he’s out of the hospital Navarre said he’s grateful for the opportunity to say thank you to the first responders that saved his life. It was the first time he’d really been out and about since getting out of the hospital.

“I would like to say thanks a lot,” said Navarre “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”

“You know what, it’s probably a good thing it happened here,” said Fisk, “My step-Dad passed away in almost exactly the same way you did, only it was too late when the people who came across him.” Fisk said, pointing out that if Navare’s girlfriend was at work and he had been home for himself, he might not have been found in time. Starting CPR as soon as possible is a key factor in the deaths as it only takes 4-6 minutes before lack of oxygen can result in brain damage or death. And according to the CDC about 9 in 10 people who have a cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. However, CPR can help even the odds. If CPR is performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, it can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.

“Get training, you can get it at all kinds of places. In that situation, you need somebody to just take charge, call 911 immediately, don’t delay, start compressions, get the AED going and get the breaths in there. Hold it together, you can have your moment when it’s done to freak out or whatever you need to do but you have to find something inside you to hold it together at that moment until you can pass off care to the professionals,” said Fisk. “We got pretty lucky. He got pretty lucky too. CPR success rates go down the older you get.”

An award of recognition was presented to each of the first responders who helped perform life saving CPR on Gary Navarre

Navarre is in fact, pretty lucky.

According to the American CPR Training, 70% of all cardiac and breathing emergencies happen in the home with a family member present who can help. But not everyone has the proper training. In addition, where you live, the color of your skin, and your gender can have a big impact on whether or not you are likely to receive CPR from bystanders. According to the CDC, women, people of color, and people with low income are less likely to receive CPR from bystanders than people who are perceived as being white and having a high income. 

But although Navarre’s luck has held out this far he still has a long road ahead of him. 

“I lost all my strength. I’ve been using my walker and I’ve been getting stronger all along. But two days ago it was like I just lost everything. It’s like I don’t have any strength now. Well anyway, yesterday my physical therapist came by and said I’ve been doing too much.”

Navarre said he’s hopeful that he will recover enough to still be active.  

“Hopefully I get healthy enough I can go dancing. My girlfriend and I dance a lot. We dance a lot. I asked my nurse if I’ll be able to go dancing. And she said ”Well just listen to your body. If you get tired, sit down.” And I bought a boat this last fall, I’d like to get healthy enough so I could go out on the river and go fishing.”

Learn CPR

Community members can get First Aid & CPR training at Columbia Gorge Community College for just $73 a class. Upcoming class dates in The Dalles: 4/17/21, 5/22/21 5/29/21, 6/5/21

Read More about the Fast Thinking Fred Meyers Employees Who Saved Navarre’s Life.