Instagram story viewer> @aedoutdoors> Posts

Joe Ellis

@aedoutdoors

421

followers

638

following

I am a father, a teacher, a coach, a whitewater guide, an avid outdoorsman, a cardiac arrest-survivor and an advocate for AEDs in the wild.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

A couple weeks ago I came home
To a package on my front porch. Upon opening it I am truly humbled and honored to receive the William H. Montgomery, MD Excellence in Education Award for my concurrent session presentation at the 2025 Citizen CPR Foundation International Education Summit.

Receiving an award that bears Dr. Montgomery’s name is especially meaningful. His dedication to CPR education and improving survival through public education has left an extraordinary legacy, and I am deeply honored to be recognized in connection with his life’s work.

Thank you to the @citizencprf for this incredible honor. I remain committed to advancing CPR education, expanding AED awareness, and helping save more lives. @aedteam @metrofireofsacramento #cardiacarrestsurvivor #cprsaveslives #aedssavelives #publicaccesstoaeds #outdooraccesstoaeds taken in Phoenix, Arizona by @aedoutdoors

29

5

3 months ago

One of the biggest highlights of my summer was serving behind the scenes at the 20th @crossfitgames as the Water 💧 Safety Lead.
It was an incredible honor to work alongside an amazing team from around the world, all dedicated to keeping the athletes, staff, volunteers, and spectators safe.

I’ve been part of the @crossfit community since 2012, and this experience reminded me why I’ve stayed. The support, professionalism, and genuine care behind the scenes are just as inspiring as what happens on the competition floor.

As a high school teacher, I’m grateful to be part of a community that continues to inspire me and, in turn, helps me inspire my students.

Proud to have played a small role in such an unforgettable event. 💙 @aedteam #aedssavelives #cprsaveslives #cardiacarrestsurvivor #publicaccess #contactmeforinfo taken in San Jose, California by @aedoutdoors

23

4

3 months ago

This is a powerful example of an organization recognizing an opportunity to better serve its community while enhancing the safety of its property and guests.

@american_river_resort is a truly unique destination, situated along the banks of the American River beside “Troublemaker,” one of the most well-known Class III rapids in the country. This stretch of river is among the most heavily trafficked recreational runs in North America, making safety preparedness essential.

The resort also serves as the home base for @american_whitewater Because of the preparedness and practices of this team, I am alive today. What stands out even more is that, despite their existing safety measures, the organization took the initiative to reevaluate their emergency response plan and identify ways to improve it further.
This is proactive leadership at its best, continually striving to raise the standard, not because it is required, but because it is the right thing to do. It is exactly the kind of organization I am proud to be associated with. #yesevenhere #cardiacarrestsurvivor #handsonlycpr #aha @calfire @calfire_aeu @metrofireofsacramento @aedteam taken in American River Resort by @aedoutdoors

43

2

6 months ago

Birthday Twin by @aedoutdoors

5

0

7 months ago

@cahperd presenting about AEDs and there requirements this past week in Oakland CA. #nevaehyouthsportssafetyact #publicaccesstoaeds #cprsaveslives #peteacher by @aedoutdoors

13

0

8 months ago

Happy Birthday son @snowryder09 taken in Worldwide by @aedoutdoors

23

4

8 months ago

This is a long one... but it matters.

Nearly three years ago, I experienced the last day of my life and lived to talk about it.
I’m incredibly grateful to Isaac, who sent me these photos last week unprompted, and was one of the first people to call 911 that day. He was just a Placerville resident enjoying a beautiful day at the river with his family and dog. He had no idea that when I pulled my boat up to the shoreline as a commercial river guide, he would be witnessing me stepping out of my boat for the last time.
That scene is my incident. That’s me on the ground, hooked up to an AED.
Isaac stayed on the line with 911, calmly giving a play-by-play. Around him, river guides immediately jumped into action. In the lower right corner of one photo, a guest is logging vitals and timestamps on a piece of trash with a pen from a kit, so when EMS arrived nearly 30 minutes later, there would be a clear timeline.
Every role mattered.
Crowd control. CPR. AED use. Logging times. Comforting guests. Some responders were off-duty firefighters or EMTs. Many were not — just CPR and First Aid–trained citizens who stepped up.
Notice the overturned med kits. Those were personal kits carried by a guide, equipment he brings not for himself, but for others. The AED used on me came from my own boat.
Preparedness saved my life.
This didn’t happen on a clean floor or training table. I was wet, bleeding, fully clothed, on river cobble. Emergencies rarely happen under perfect conditions. What I see in these images isn’t chaos, its training, equipment, and community intersecting.
If you lead a city, county, school district, park system, or public-facing organization, ask yourself:
• Are AEDs accessible where people actually gather, including outdoors and after hours?
• Are they registered with 911 and integrated into citizen responder platforms like @pulsepointapp ?
• Are we funding placement, maintenance, and training?
If you’re an individual: get trained, refresh often, and advocate for AED access in your community.
I’m alive today because AED access existed, and because citizens became the responders. taken in Henningsen Lotus Park by @aedoutdoors

48

13

9 months ago

@metrofireofsacramento is already showing proof of how their new Citizen Responder Program can work. When people are prepared, plans are made, and people are willing to help and have access to the equipment they need, lives are saved. Such a great story with a successful win for cardiac emergencies. All my love to the young lady who suffered a cardiac arrest during the California International Marathon (CIM) in @thecityofsac . Find a way to support SacMetros cause. Call them to find out how you can donate to this program or learn CPR. It will save a life. https://youtu.be/I5ig2cQMmkE?si=5oQhMBiuS3y5lPFa taken in Sacramento, California by @aedoutdoors

21

1

10 months ago

@aedteam AEDs belong outdoors. Sticker at the @yeti Flagship store in Austin Texas. #builtforthewild #aedoutdoors #publicaccess #yeti #aedssavelives #yeticoolers taken in Yeti Flagship Store by @aedoutdoors

11

1

a year ago

Grateful to be standing alongside @metrofireofsacramento as they launch their Citizen Responder initiative—a powerful step towards closing the survival gap for sudden cardiac arrest (sca). With community CPR Trainning and 24/7 outdoor access now being deployed , Sac Metro is helping turn bystanders into lifesavers. These efforts will save lives right here in our communities. Proud to support a project that brings real solutions, real access, and real hope. #saccmetrofire #CitizenResponder #cardiacaresstsurvivor @aedoutdoors @aedteam https://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento-metro-fire-citizen-responder-program/69418944 taken in Hagan Community Park by @aedoutdoors

12

0

a year ago

What a great day helping out at a Junior hunt put on by the @pheasants_forever yolo chapter. Thank you @hastingsislandhunting for the event. Teaching our youth conservation and safety. It was a great day. Lots of smiles. taken in Hastings Island Hunting Preserve by @aedoutdoors

4

0

a year ago

A powerful reminder of what preparedness and extraordinary people can do. I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible athletic trainers at Trinity High School in Texas. Their swift, professional response during a cardiac emergency saved a young athlete’s life. Because of their readiness and care, this student now has the opportunity to grow up, pursue dreams, and make a lasting impact. This is what happens when schools have a cardiac emergency plan and the right people in place. But it also makes us ask the hard questions. What if this had happened after hours? What if the doors were locked and no one had access to the AED? Lives should not depend on timing or building access. AEDs belong outdoors, where they can be reached by anyone at anytime. Concerns of weather and vandalism are understandable — but newer methodologies now allow us to secure AEDs safely while keeping them publicly accessible 24/7. It’s possible. It’s practical. And as this story shows, it’s worth it. 🙏Grateful for the team at Trinity, and for every athletic trainer who stands ready when every second counts.❤️. https://youtu.be/uUlacgx3TkQ?si=BOB8sMCTalCEFr4Z taken in Anywhere and Everywhere by @aedoutdoors

14

0

a year ago