Halton Region EMS encourages CPR and defibrillation training

Halton Region Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is reminding residents about the importance of CPR and defibrillation training. In a recent six week span, Halton Region EMS responded to an unprecedented number of calls where citizen responders applied their basic life support skills in the face of a sudden cardiac arrest. Between May 14 and June 23, Halton EMS responded to five uses of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) which resulted in the revival of four patients prior to their arrival at hospital.

Historically, the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in southern Ontario is five per cent or less.

“These recent successes are a credit to everyone involved, from the responders to the organizations that participate in the Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program,” said Halton Regional Chair, Gary Carr. “These lives saved represent the coming together of many community resources and programs that are designed to create just such an outcome.”

46 year old Oakville resident, Bernd Krumme, was resuscitated out of cardiac arrest on June 23, at the YMCA of Oakville. YMCA staff Nestor Granados, Sarah Pearson and Bill Joyce successfully performed CPR and deployed the Automated External Defibrillator (AED), delivering one shock, to restore his heartbeat. Bernd was transported directly to Mississauga Trillium Hospital where he underwent an angioplasty procedure to restore blood flow to the affected part of his heart. On June 30, Bernd returned to the YMCA of Oakville to thank the staff who saved his life.

“As airline employees, both my wife Samantha and I are trained in CPR and AED use and know how much it contributes to survival. We also know that without trained staff and an AED nearby it is unlikely that I would be alive today,” said Bernd Krumme. “My message for everyone is to take a few hours to learn CPR and defibrillation.”

PAD programs have been in operation at public and private venues across Halton Region since 2000. Over the past decade more than twenty lives have been saved by residents performing CPR and using AED.

Other patients saved in the period between May 14 and June 23 include a teenager and a man and woman each in their seventies. It is hoped that all survivors will soon be returning to their homes and families in good health.

For more information on EMS services or the PAD program, dial 311 or call Halton Region 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-442-5866, TTY 905-825-9833 or visit www.halton.ca. In an emergency, dial 911.

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