Med students hope people will learn CPR and potentially save a life
Saturday was the final day of World Restart a Heart Week and McGill University medical students and professionals were spreading the word that anyone can save a life with a little bit of CPR training.
The student-run project offered participants free CPR training all week.
Olympian and physician Joannie Rochette's mother had a heart attack at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and she recounted the terrible story.
"You can double or triple their chance of survival by doing CPR," she said.
Dr. Farhan Bhanji reminded the group that you don't have to be fully trained in CPR to help.
"If you don't do anything, you're hurting them," he said. "Their chance of survival drops by about 7-10 per cent every minute that CPR and an AED - automated external defibrillator - is delayed. You need to act in that moment. The ambulance won't get there in time, other people might not get there, we need you to act in that moment."
As part of the project, participants practiced chest compressions and learned about the AED.
"They think it's an important life skill and it's given them a bit of confidence," said McGill med student Mehdi Hegagi. "It's not a full course but it's a nice short overview on how to do it, so if there's nobody else around, they can step in and do some CPR."
Experts say it is often someone you know who needs help.
"The majority of sudden cardiac arrests happen outside of the hospital and, even more so, at home, so the person who is going to have the highest impact on survival is not the health-care worker it's going to be the loved one," said McGill med student Carla Apostolova.
The students also made a video to get people feeling confident they can help by using the AED.
"You should never hesitate even if you haven't had prior training, which helps because it looks complicated to use, but it really has two buttons: ON and SHOCK," said emergency physician Dr. Francois de Champlain. "The machine will tell you if a shock is recommended. It will analyze the rhythm underlying in their person unresponsive and if a shock is advised it will tell you to push on the shock button."
Those running the project say surviving cardiac arrest shouldn't be a matter of luck.
"Ultimately the power to save a life is in your hands," said Bhanji.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.