First Aid Corps

Quick thinking and quick access to an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) has saved the life of a 61- year-old man after he suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest while playing volleyball at the Dorset Community Centre on Feb. 24.

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“We’re thankful the defibrillator program is in place and I’m really proud of the actions by citizens, staff and firefighters,” says Carol Moffatt, Algonquin Highlands Reeve. “Our community helped save a life and that’s a great feeling. We wish the patient an excellent recovery.”

After the man collapsed, bystanders immediately rushed to his rescue, including a graduate of the Haliburton County Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program, who quickly accessed the AED from the wall cabinet.

One life-saving shock 17 seconds after the AED was hooked up to the victim was sufficient. By the time paramedics from Muskoka EMS arrived, the man was conscious. He is now in stable condition at a local hospital.

A man who suffered a heart attack in Ottawa’s Britannia Park was lucky that 85 members of the Canadian Ski Patrol were upgrading their CPR training in the park

“Somebody came in who had spoken to some of the patrollers earlier in the day and was interested in what we were doing — they came back in and said ‘Someone is dying outside in the park.’ And of course there was almost 100 of us here that could’ve gone out and checked out the situation,” Chisamore said.

The man, between 40 and 50 years of age, had been playing volleyball. He collapsed following the game and was not breathing and had no pulse.

The lifesaving recertification course suddenly became a real life emergency.

“So it was fortunate we were here,” said Chisamore.

Patrollers took one of their many defibrillators to the man in cardiac arrest and while waiting for paramedics to arrive, the ski patrollers shocked him with the defibrillator and did CPR.

By the time the ambulance arrived “the patient was gaining colour and that’s the best outcome,” Chisamore said.

Joe Camucci, who oversees paramedic services for the City of Ottawa, said timing is of the essence in these types of emergencies.

That’s why the municipality offer free CPR training to anyone who wants it and installs defibrillators in all public buildings, he said.

“If you want to have a cardiac arrest, do it on public property because your chance of being saved is 70 per cent,” he said.

Chisamore said the heart attack victim had good vital signs by Sunday night and was scheduled to be transferred to the Ottawa Hospital Heart Institute for followup care.

On the evening of Wednesday, May 19, 2010, Todd Witte was at Country Lanes Volleyball Courts in the midst of a game with his team.

In an instant, Todd collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest.

At 8:48 p.m., the Duluth Fire Department No. 7 Engine stationed in Duluth Heights responded to a report of a “48 year old unconscious male”.

While in route to the scene, the Fire Department crew was informed by another call that the patient had stopped breathing but CPR was in progress.

Within three minutes, No. 7 Engine arrived at the scene to find Ms. Greensky and Mr. Kiesel performing CPR.

Duluth firefighters used their semi-automatic external defibrillator to administer a shock to Todd.

After a single shock was delivered, both individuals continued assisting with CPR.

Shortly after delivery of the shock, and continued CPR, Todd began to breathe on his own and partially regained consciousness.

Todd was taken by ambulance to the hospital and underwent surgery.

Today, Todd Witte is doing well and grateful to the two people who gave him another chance to enjoy life with his loving wife and kids.