An 11-year-old boy was honoured with a special award in Vancouver today for helping save his father’s life.
Retired dentist David Speirs was out for a jog with his son Arthur on March 16 when he collapsed on the pavement, suffering from a cardiac arrest.
Arthur ran to the nearest house, knocking on the door and asking for help.
Simon and Lisa Edgett came to his help.
Lisa and Arthur ran back into the house to call 9-1-1 while Simon started performing CPR.
He says it’s been twenty years since he was last trained in performing CPR, so he was thankful for the 9-1-1 operator instructions.
“David was obviously in distress, and I was not sure if I could move him,” says Simon. “I was pleased that the folks on the other end of 9-1-1 were very quick.”
His wife Lisa says they have learned that one does not have to be completely comfortable with performing CPR to be able to help.
“You call and they walk you through it.”
Today, the couple was also presented with the award.
The BCAS Vital Link Award helps recognize people who save a life and raises awareness of the importance of CPR.
BC Ambulance Service says a cardiac arrest victim is four times more likely to survive if they receive CPR from a bystander, but in approximately 85 per cent of all cardiac arrest cases, this basic procedure is not performed.
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