Victim of cardiac arrest saved with CPR -

A victim of cardiac arrest who was saved with CPR thanks those who saved his life. It was a special day for 55-year old physician Chris Dawkins. For the first time, he met the people who saved his life.

Saving a life

Two months ago, his heart stopped beating and was considered clinically dead. Dawkins just finished a workout at home on his rowing machine when he collapsed from cardiac arrest.

Vancouver first aid — Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the essential life-saving techniques can improve the chances of survival during emergencies.

He could not recall suffering the heart attack but his wife, Fran, saw him fall and quickly called 911. On the other line was dispatcher Anne-Marie Forrest who coached Fran as she performed CPR.

The first responders utilized all the recommended treatments, including CPR, defibrillation and advanced medications but nothing was working. Luckily, on that day, a highly trained team of advanced life support paramedics was dispatched. They specialize in dealing with cardiac arrest and were able to assess that Dawkins was a candidate for a new protocol.

Dawkins was connected to a portable automatic chest compress device called LUCAS machine. The device performs CPR uninterrupted while they raced to bring him to St. Paul’s hospital.

From the timely response from his wife Fran and the paramedics, Dawkin’s blood supply had been constant and enabled the team at St. Paul’s to have a successful outcome.

Being prepared

It is recommended to enroll in a first aid course today. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the essential life-saving techniques can improve the chances of survival during emergencies.

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