Once again, AEDs and CPR have proven their worth as a Toronto man is alive today thanks to the quick actions of bystanders.
On Sunday, January 13, a 51-year-old Toronto-area resident Paul Poce was playing hockey at the Malvern Recreation Centre when he collapsed to the ice after suffering a cardiac arrest. His son Ben Poce, who also works as a paramedic for Peel Regional Paramedic Services, immediately rushed to his father’s side. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest, Poce called out to his teammates to dial 9-1-1, instructed his friend Shawn Nichols to start chest compressions, while he retrieved the on-site AED.
The life-saving device shocked his father’s heart following voice-prompters. Paramedics from Toronto EMS arrived and continued care while transporting the man to hospital. Mr. Poce is now home where he is recovering from surgery.
This save is the 48th in Ontario by an AED funded by the Foundation since 2006, and highlights the fact that with simple training in CPR and the availability of an AED to perform immediate defibrillation, anyone can save a life.
“This life saved is a testament to what happens when community members learn CPR and use an AED when it is within reach,” said Andrew Lotto, Manager, Resuscitation Programs, Heart and Stroke Foundation. “With continued support of the public, community groups and funding partners, one day AEDs will be as commonplace as fire extinguishers in Ontario to save lives.”
Jonathan Halpert of the CPR Instructor's Network added, "If everyone new CPR and how to use an AED, and AEDs were readily available, just think of the number of lives that could be saved each year". In Canada alone, there is approximately 45,000 annual sudden cardiac arrests due to heart disease.
The CPR Instructor's Network teaches CPR, AED and First Aid with certification by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.