On November 3, 2011, Aquatics Director Kendra Redekop was working at the Langara Family YMCA. “I had just finished training my staff on our new automated defibrillator,” Redekop said. “Two days later, I’m resuscitating a young woman who suffered a cardiac arrest during her normal workout. I knew what we were capable of doing with our equipment and training, andI think a combination of training and intuition told me to use the AED right away, even though the patient was a young, healthy-looking female.” The patient was 25 years old.
Lauren Millar is a lifeguard at William Griffen Pool in North Vancouver. On November 27, 2011, a 30-year-old man collapsed and went into cardiac arrest while exercising. Millar also used an AED to revive the patient.
“Saving this man’s life was an overwhelming experience,” said Millar. “I’m so thrilled that the collaboration of everyone involved and the AED worked to save this man’s life. I hope that the general public becomes more aware that they can make a difference in someone’s life by learning CPR and having a general knowledge of AEDs.”
“Sudden cardiac arrest in younger people is usually caused by an electrical problem in the heart,” said BC Ambulance Service Superintendent Bruce Harford. “These two stories show the value of AEDs, and how important it is to have people who are trained to use them. We are absolutely delighted to recognize Kendra and Lauren today. Their training, preparation and focus under pressure saved two lives.
The BC Ambulance Service presents the Vital Link Award to thank members of the public who save a life and to raise awareness of the importance of CPR. A cardiac arrest victim is four times more likely to survive if they receive CPR from a bystander. However, in approximately 85 per cent of all cardiac arrest cases, this basic procedure is not performed.
“Even with the best-trained paramedics and the fastest response times, the simple actions of members of the public in the first moments of a medical emergency can be one of the most critical factors in a patient’s outcome,” said Harford. “It’s important to remember that CPR saves lives, and both CPR and AEDs are vital steps in a patient’s chain of survival.”
BC Ambulance Service attends between 2,400-2,800 cardiac arrest calls each year. Approximately 1,000 are in the Lower Mainland. Fewer than 10 per cent of people who have a cardiac arrest survive.
Cardiac patient Anna Shanh attended the ceremony hosted by Superintendent Bruce Harford.
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