Santa Barbara City Councilmember, Eric Friedman, suffered a heart attack on Saturday while paddling off the coast of Santa Barbara.
According to an official statement, Friedman was immediately aided by two friends present during the incident, who are experienced in CPR, providing critical first aid until medical responders arrived.
Thanks to their swift action and the prompt arrival of medical help, Friedman was quickly transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
Friedman was sedated overnight as a precautionary measure but is now reported to be awake, alert, and fully aware of what transpired.
“Eric’s family is with him and is exceedingly thankful to everyone who has helped during this incident. The family also appreciates the well-wishes and support from friends and the community. At this time, the family asks that people refrain from contacting them directly so they can focus on supporting Eric,” the statement.
The statement goes on to explain that while Friedman has no known family history of heart disease and had not shown symptoms previously, his family has taken this incident as an opportunity to raise public awareness about heart health. They’re encouraging the Santa Barbara community and beyond to get regular health checks, learn the signs and symptoms of heart disease, and to consider becoming CPR certified to better prepare for unexpected emergencies.
The community is closely following Councilmember Friedman’s recovery, with many praising the quick action of his friends and emergency responders.
Further updates on his condition will be released as more information becomes available. The Friedman family and the Santa Barbara community are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery for the respected councilmember.
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Absolutely, Eric is an excellent councilmember and I sendall the best wishes for a speedy recovery!
It might be very helpful to others if the details of how his buddies knew it was a heart attack and what they did could be shared! Few of us would be so lucky as to be paddling with friends who are CPR-experienced!!!
Eric is a good guy and I am really grateful that his friends were able to treat him. Get better soon Eric!!!
Amazing rescue, great job by his paddle buddies-Hope for a speedy recovery.
So glad to hear he is ok!
Hope Eric makes a speedy recovery. Very thoughtful of him and his family to help this be a teaaching moment for our whole community to learn CPR and be aware of the signs. So glad his paddle friends knew what to do and he got to Cottage quickly.
Got Bless you, Eric, and your family too. My husband had a heart attack at 42 and is n ow almost 80. Modern medicine, stents and self care and you will be great with a long life!