A Second Chance at Life [Bryan Gums ER]

In this video, Bryan Gums shares his experience of experiencing a life-threatening cardiac emergency and receiving immediate care at Brookings Health System. His story highlights the importance of rapid emergency response, coordinated care and access to lifesaving technology when every second matters.

Key Takeaways

  • Rapid emergency care can be lifesaving: Immediate recognition of a serious cardiac emergency and access to a prepared emergency care team can make a critical difference.
  • Cardiac rhythms can become life-threatening: A dangerous heart rhythm can cause the heart to stop effectively pumping blood and may lead to cardiac arrest.
  • LUCAS provides mechanical chest compressions: The LUCAS device can provide consistent chest compressions during resuscitation when a patient experiences cardiac arrest.
  • Emergency teams work together: Successful resuscitation requires coordinated efforts from multiple members of the emergency care team.
  • Local emergency care matters: Having an equipped emergency department and trained team nearby can provide timely access to lifesaving treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood effectively, causing blood flow to the brain and other organs to stop. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate CPR and advanced resuscitation.

LUCAS is a mechanical chest-compression device used during cardiac arrest to provide consistent, automated chest compressions. It can support resuscitation efforts while the emergency team provides other lifesaving treatments.

A person experiencing symptoms such as a racing or abnormal heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, fainting or sudden weakness should seek emergency medical care. Calling 911 is appropriate when symptoms are severe, sudden or worsening.

A dangerous heart rhythm can prevent the heart from pumping enough blood to the brain and other organs. In severe cases, an abnormal rhythm can progress to cardiac arrest and become fatal without immediate treatment.

There is no safe alternative to emergency medical care when a heart rhythm becomes life-threatening or cardiac arrest occurs. Treatment depends on the specific rhythm and may include CPR, defibrillation, medications, mechanical chest compressions and other advanced cardiac interventions.

Video Transcript

My name is Bryan Gums. I'm from Brookings, South Dakota. Moved here when I was 10 years old and I've been here since. And I joined the Marine Corps and I served four years. And then I came back and I got a job with Brookings Police Department. And I was a police officer for 28 years, and the last 3 were the chief.

When did you first realize something was wrong?

It was May 26, 2025. It was Memorial Day and we were doing some yard work. I wasn't doing anything strenuous by any means. Went inside and went down the basement. And all of a sudden, I felt my heart starting to beat faster. I thought, well, it'll go away. And so I'm down there just messing around a little bit. But I could just feel it. It just seemed like it just kept going faster and faster. Coming up from the basement, I was kind of out of breath. So I called my wife and I said, "Julie, you're going to have to take me into the hospital."

What happened after you arrived at the hospital?

I walked in and I talked to the employee there and I said, "I'm having some issues with AFib, I believe." So we walked out the door and there was a hallway where the examination room is. And at this point, my memory went blank. Apparently I followed her in. And then she said, "Go ahead and have a seat on the bed." My wife said that I looked like Jell-O. I just...I fell in the bed. And I don't remember any of that.

What happened in the emergency room?

I was told during that time, I flatlined for 26 minutes. And they used this LUCAS machine for 26 minutes, pumping on me. And then they sedated me. I think they made sure that I was capable of going on the ambulance down to Sioux Falls and that.

What was your diagnosis?

It was the bottom part of my heart just started beating, started beating faster and faster. And so it technically wasn't AFib. But it just kept going and kept going faster and faster until it said at one point, that's enough and it just stopped.

What could have happened without Brookings Health System?

I wouldn't be here. I know I wouldn't. Before, like I said, when I came in here and there's a team ready to take care of the patient, and everybody knows what they're doing. I know that's what they had to do to me because I've seen it several times. I know I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be playing with my grandkids. They're life savers.

How was the ER team's care?

Outstanding. Outstanding. And after I got back home, I said, we're going to get some cookies and bring them up. So when we came in, they remembered all of us. They said, "It's that Gums guy." And then my wife saw the doctor in there. She said that she teared up. He was a lot of why I'm here. And it's not just him. It's everybody there.

Why would you recommend Brookings Health System?

My three girls were born here. Two of my grandkids were born here. Everybody is just top notch. It doesn't get any better than this.

Are you one of Brookings Health Systems grateful patients who would like to give back to us? Learn more about how you can give back at brookingshealth.org/MyThanks.

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