Thanks to the quick thinking and actions of his tennis partners, Lou Quattrucci survived a heart attack that occured on the East Chop Tennis Club courts last month.

On Sunday, July 27 Mr. Quattrucci was playing in a round robin doubles game when he collapsed. He said he has no memory of the incident.

“One second I was receiving a serve, and then my next recollection is 10 or 15 minutes later I’m lying on the clay court,” he said.

Scott Mauer, a pharmacist, had signed up for the round robin at the last minute.

Pharmacist Scott Maurer was on the scene to help.

Courtesy Scott Maurer

Pharmacist Scott Maurer was on the scene to help.

Courtesy Scott Maurer

“We were playing tennis...I was next to Lou and I heard a big thump on the ground and he collapsed,” he said.

Mr. Quattrucci was unconscious, not breathing and did not have a pulse, according to Mr. Mauer, who started compressions immediately.

“He wasn’t responsive and I couldn’t get a pulse...that’s when Mike ran over,” he said.

Mike is Dr. Michael Walkenstein, a critical care physician who was playing at a nearby court when he heard someone calling his name.

“Initially, I thought it was just to chase down a ball or something, but it was clear there was some urgency,” Dr. Walkenstein said.

Both Mr. Mauer and Dr. Walkenstein said that the club staff responded quickly to the emergency, calling 911 and bringing over an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

“There was no panic, everything was done by the book,” Dr. Walkenstein said.

Grace Simpkins, the East Chop Tennis Club’s board president, said she is grateful for the staff and for the fact they had a defibrillator on site. The club has had one for about four years.

“It’s someone’s life. That is just so important. If there’s anything that will give you time for the professionals to get there or a chance to save someone’s life, it’s a no-brainer,” Ms. Simpkins said.

According to Mr. Mauer, it took one shock to revitalize Mr. Quattrucci. Dr. Walkenstein said that although Mr. Quattrucci was disoriented, he was able to talk and give his birth date by the time the ambulance arrived.

Dr. Walkenstein said that having a defibrillator on site was vital to Mr. Quattrucci’s survival.

“An out of hospital cardiac arrest without an AED is almost universally fatal.... He’s a very lucky man,” he said.

Dr. Walkenstein added that it is important to have defibrillators in place all over the Island.

“We have a mixed population as far as age goes. Cardiac disease is everywhere and unfortunately sometimes the first indication you have a serious problem is the ultimate event,” he said.

Mr. Quattrucci said he now wants to pay it forward by researching places on the Island that do not have a defibrillator and fundraising for them.

“When you go through something like this, it changes you in some way,” he said. “How can I share my experience in a way some people can benefit?”