By Beau Tidwell
At its monthly board meeting, the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, the governing body of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, offered formal commendations to two guests who utilized an on-site Automated External Defibrillator (AED) device to save the life of an individual outside of a Convention Center event earlier this month.
Michael and Katherine Diegan, of Daphne, Alabama, were attendees at the “New Orleans Blastoff” volleyball 
tournament on the weekend of January 14th. On Saturday, they encountered an individual who had been jogging in the Pedestrian Park, experiencing a medical emergency. Quickly ascertaining that the man, named Jason Baldwin, was not breathing and was without a pulse, they immediately rendered aid. Mr. Diegan administered CPR, while Mrs. Diegan located and retrieved a nearby AED unit. Mr. Diegan then successfully used the equipment to revive Mr. Baldwin, who resumed breathing and began to speak shortly thereafter.
Convention Center staff and Paramedic Ryan Satterberg rendered additional aid, helping to care for the man until the arrival of a New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS) unit, which stabilized Mr. Baldwin and transported him for treatment at Tulane Medical Center.
“I have been a runner for over a decade, I have run more than 10,000 miles in my life and on any one of those 10,000 miles, this could have happened. I am blessed to have [Michael and Katherine] there when it did.” said Baldwin, speaking virtually at the Exhibition Hall Authority’s monthly board meeting. “I am hoping that folks are encouraged to get CPR certified, understand what an AED is, or simply just check up on their health.”
Among those who responded to this incident include the New Orleans Fire Department Captain Randolph Edward, Firefighter Elvin Calderon, and Probationary Firefighters Braylon Lawrence, and Casey McGann. Also responding were Paramedics Stanley Woods, Ryan Satterberg, Danyell Slack, and Scott Schlumbrect, and Emergency Medical Technicians Timothy Williams, and Theodore Wyshel, as well as 911 Dispatcher Keiane Taylor.
“Michael and Katherine Diegan saved a man’s life, and we are pleased that the Authority is formally recognizing their heroism today,” said Jerry Reyes, President and Chairman of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority. “When the Convention Center deployed the AEDs throughout the Convention Center in 2020, we hoped never to need them — but we are deeply grateful to have this technology available in moments of need such as this.”
There are 47 Physio Control LIFEPAK CR2 AEDs installed throughout the Convention Center. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are portable, life-saving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
“On this particular day, we had more than 13,000 individuals in our facility. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our guests, both internal and external. In this case, being prepared made all the difference,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center President. “We could not be more inspired and proud of everyone involved in this incident.”
Also in attendance at the Authority’s regularly scheduled board meeting were representatives of NOEMS who responded to the scene and transported Mr. Baldwin to Tulane Medical Center.
Beau Tidwell is Director of Communications for the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
