Client:Awards
Date:August 08, 2012

BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) honoured the skilled actions of three bystanders for helping to save the life of a Calgary resident who had collapsed on a street in Sooke.

“It’s important for us to acknowledge the efforts of the small percentage of B.C. citizens who know how to perform CPR in an emergency,” said BCAS Unit Chief Michael McGregor. “These bystanders are truly a vital link to the patient and to our people as they respond to a cardiac arrest call.”

Last summer on July 7, while driving in her car, Bobbie-jo Peterson saw a pair of legs sticking out from behind a suitcase on the side of the road. She pulled over and began doing compressions on the lifeless man.

Gerry Boivin was driving by, saw the commotion and stopped to assist Bobbie-jo. He had first aid training, and realizing the urgency of the situation began mouth to mouth resuscitation on the patient. “I had a mask in my car, but it was too far to go and get it,” he said.

Christina Klein had recently completed an Emergency Medical Response course when she arrived at the scene and took over compressions from Bobbie-jo. “I’m so glad that we could keep this man alive with CPR while the ambulance was on its way,” said Christina.

Within 10 minutes, BC Ambulance paramedic Chris Daoust arrived and applied shocks to the patient with an automated external defibrillator. He continued treatment alongside Sooke Fire Department responders. The patient was transported to the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria where he recovered and was then flown to the Foothills Hospital in Calgary for rehabilitation.

BCAS attends between 2,400-2,800 cardiac arrest calls each year. Approximately 500 occur on Vancouver Island. Only 12 per cent of British Columbians who suffer a cardiac arrest survive.