Event celebrates success stories and AED’s

Friday, February 22, 2013   by: Kate Adams


District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board
News Release

***********************

Automated External Defibrillators, or AED’s, helped save the lives to two people at local arenas last month. Both incidents involved recreational hockey players who collapsed during a game. On Monday, March 11, 2013 at 9:00 AM, the survivors and those involved in the full chain of survival will be recognized at an event at the Clarion Resort’s Founder Room.


“We think it’s important to recognize the importance of helping your fellowman in a moment of crisis. Without the selfless act of the rescuers, both gentlemen may not be with us today,” says Jean-Guy Belzile, Manager of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with the District of Nipissing social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB). “It’s also important to demonstrate how knowledge, like CPR training, the use of the AED’s, and getting the emergency help available, can have such a huge impact on a community.”


The life-saving incidents, one at the Memorial Gardens in North Bay on January 10 and another at the Sam Jacks West Ferris Arena on January 24, could have ended in tragedy were if not for everyone who played a role in these stories of survival. The dispatcher and call taker of both life-saving events, including the Paramedics involved in the continuum of care, right through to the hospital, will be at the event to share their stories.


Since 2005, 130 defibrillators have been installed at arenas, community centres, and other public places such as libraries and municipal buildings in the District of Nipissing, and to date, have been used 5 times to help save lives. Each AED costs about $2500. Funds have been raised by the North Bay Professional Paramedics Association, the DNSSAB, and organizations like the Heart and Stroke Foundation who have been instrumental in making our communities cardiac-safe.

***********************