Client: Awards
Date: March 23, 2011​

On January 13, 2011, Denyce Krupa was walking past a local barber shop when she was called in to assist an elderly man who was not breathing in the chair. The barber, Paul Goodwin worked with BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) dispatchers on the phone to relay life saving, step by step, CPR instructions to Denyce until paramedics arrived. Krupal received a Vital Link Medal and Goodman received a Good Samaritan plaque.

In November 2010, Scott Coulter performed CPR on his father while his wife Holly worked with BCAS dispatchers over the phone to ensure the speedy arrival of paramedics. Scott continued this life saving skill until paramedics arrived and were able to provide defibrillation to restore his father’s pulse. Scott received a Vital Link medal and Holly received a Good Samaritan plaque.

Three years ago, Nathan Gilmore and Sharon Montgomery provided CPR to a neighbour who had suffered from a cardiac arrest. As a fire-fighter and first responder in her community, Montgomery was trained and ready to respond. Montgomery received a letter of commendation for her role and Gilmore was presented with a Vital Link medal.

BCAS attends approximately 3,000 cardiac arrest calls each year. A cardiac arrest victim is FOUR times more likely to survive if they receive bystander CPR, however, this basic procedure is not performed in approximately 85% of all cardiac arrest cases.

The awards were presented at the BCAS Vancouver Island Regional Administration Office on March 23, 2011 by Executive Director Shawn Carby. In attendance were the recipients, patients, and attending paramedics and dispatchers.

For More Information
News Release: BC Ambulance Service Recognize Locals for LifeSaving Actions