Dozens gathered at a community centre in Duncan, B.C. on Family Day to learn how to save loved ones — and anyone else in need — through the use of CPR and automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
The annual training event is held in honour of 11-year-old Caleb Kroffat, who died suddenly outside of the Island Savings Centre in the Vancouver Island city.
“Things can go wrong and it’s just nice to have the information, and having my wife with me in case I’m the problem,” participant Grant Price told Global News.
“I think it’s fantastic. I love that technology is coming along so far that we can have stuff like this for everyday use when needed. It’s great,” added Joseph Ferguson.
According to Christopher Turner, superintendent of the St. John Ambulance Youth Brigade, no one who was around when Kroffat died knew how to do CPR, and no AED was readily available.
“The silver lining is they found the heart condition that caused it to happen and his twin brother’s life has been saved,” Turner said.
Getting help to someone quickly makes all the difference, he added.
“The instant someone collapses, the sooner you can get quality CPR going, the chances go up to 95 per cent of surviving a heart attack. It’s even better with an AED.”