Two Cardiac Saves In 24 Hours

People trained in CPR, on-site defibrillators, firefighters and paramedics were key elements in two cardiac saves between Sunday and Monday in Saint John.

Saint John firefighters were called to Mystery Lake Drive on Sunday for a man who wasn’t conscious or breathing.

Firefighters took over CPR compression while paramedics prepared the defibrillator.

“Once the CPR was completed, the defibrillator advised the shock, the shock was given and the patient’s heart was re-started and the Saint John Fire Department assisted Ambulance New Brunswick in packaging the patient and transferring them to the Saint John Regional Hospital.” Platoon Chief Steve Voutour said.

On Monday afternoon, crews responded to another call of a man who wasn’t conscious or breathing and firefighters found the 51-year-old man attached to a defibrillator by a co-worker in his office on Main Street.

After more treatment, he was awake and talking before being sent to the Regional hospital.

Voutour says it shows the importance of having AED’s on-site and having people who know how to use them.

“Here we have two individuals in Saint John that probably have a successful outcome to a cardiac event that was initiated by a member of the public,” Vautour said.

“In a heart attack seconds count but, having defibrillators alone without people having the knowledge on how to use them and perform CPR isn’t the answer. We need members of the public to be able to get the knowledge and have the ability to do this.” Voutour said.