​Samantha Brockman of Nanaimo received the BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) Vital Link Award at a ceremony hosted by local paramedics to recognize her courageous and mature response to her father’s cardiac arrest.

On April 21st, one year ago, Samantha came home just after midnight to discover Tom Brockman unconscious and unresponsive. With the help of her brother Zachery and sister Katie, she recognized the symptoms of cardiac arrest and immediately began cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

“I did 30 compressions to two breaths and watched for his stomach to rise,” said Samantha. “I was in shock but the adrenalin rush kept me going.”

Eighteen years old at the time, Samantha had acquired her CPR skills as a lifeguard with the City of Nanaimo.

“Samantha did the critical CPR required to prepare her dad for our arrival and defibrillation treatment,” said BCAS paramedic Kelly Ross. “She made it possible for him to survive and recover without brain damage.”

“This has been an eye-opener for the whole family,” said Tom. “I felt I owed Sam, so I’ve tried to pay her back by helping her to buy a car. My son Zachery has since gotten his level-one first aid training.”

The BCAS Vital Link Award is being presented to Samantha Brockman at the Nanaimo General Hospital at 1:00 p.m. The award is given to public bystanders who provide vital CPR support to a patient experiencing cardiac arrest.

BC Ambulance Service attends between 2,400-2,800 cardiac arrest calls each year. Approximately 700 occur on Vancouver Island. Fewer than 10 per cent of people who have a cardiac arrest survive.

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News Release: Nanaimo teen honoured for saving dad’s life​