Tourist’s life saved through fate, teamwork and cutting-edge care

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Canadian family’s trip to a local theme park almost ended in tragedy when a loved one suddenly went into cardiac arrest. Thanks to timely intervention, advanced medical care and a commitment to whole-person health, he’s now back home.

“If it wasn’t for the first responders and the care I received at the hospital, I don’t think I’d be alive today,” said Robert Rehaluk, a forensic psychiatrist from Toronto. “The kind of care and compassion they showed was unbelievable.”

In November 2025, Rehaluk was heading back to his hotel when he collapsed. Will Hall, an EMS liaison at AdventHealth Orlando and part-time employee at the park, immediately responded and began CPR.

“I knew we had to act quickly,” said Hall. “In those moments, you don’t think about anything else, you just focus on keeping the patient alive.”

Recognizing the severity of the situation, Hall identified the patient as a candidate for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) CPR, the first and only program of its kind in Central Florida. AdventHealth and Orange County EMS launched it last year to give our community access to the most advanced life-saving care.

The ECMO procedure temporarily takes over heart and lung function, allowing physicians time to treat the underlying cause and improve survival rates for patients with severe cardiac emergencies. Orange County has designated AdventHealth Orlando as a comprehensive resuscitation center, meaning county EMS teams will bring qualifying patients to the facility while providing automated CPR while in transit.  To qualify, a patient must be between 18-70 years old, with no terminal conditions and be no more than 45 minutes away from AdventHealth Orlando.

“They didn’t think twice about helping a complete stranger.” - Robert Rehaluk

Hall ensured the patient was transported to AdventHealth Orlando for advanced evaluation. By the time he arrived, the patient was alert and no longer needed ECMO. The cardiac team provided comprehensive, timely care focused on the patient’s immediate needs and long-term well-being. Within days, he returned to Canada with his family.

“It’s a team effort, from the first responders at the park to the incredible cardiac team at AdventHealth,” said Hall. “I’m just grateful we were able to give him a second chance.”

Hall and the first responders were recognized for their heroic actions, underscoring the importance of swift coordination and collaboration in emergencies.

“They didn’t think twice about helping a complete stranger,” said Rehaluk. “Thank you for giving me a second chance at life.”

Cardiac emergencies can occur anywhere, at any time. Programs like ECMO CPR and comprehensive resuscitation centers are designed to meet present-day needs—bringing advanced resources closer to patients and improving outcomes when every second counts.

Learn more about how innovative cardiac care is saving lives. Click here to explore resources, schedule a heart health screening or find a cardiology specialist near you.