Poilievre Helps Equip New Lifesaving Defibrillators for Local Arenas
On December 12, 2014, Democratic Reform Minister Pierre Poilievre, MP for Nepean-Carleton, together with Greg Killough, Health Promotion Specialist from the Heart & Stroke Foundation, announced the installation of three new Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for the Manotick, Metcalfe, and Fred G. Barrett Arenas.
The newly installed AEDs were funded through the Conservative Government’s commitment to the National Automated External Defibrillator Program. The program aims to place 2000 AEDs and provide training to 20,000 people across Canada.
“Our Government is committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians while encouraging active and healthy lifestyles,” said Minister Poilievre. “We are well on our way to ensuring all recreational arenas across Canada are equipped with these life-saving devices.”
Mr. Greg Furlong, Program Manager from the Ottawa Paramedic Service, provided a demonstration of how the device operates and explained the importance of aiding someone between the time they collapse and the arrival of an ambulance.
Minister Poilievre was also joined by Mr. André Corriveau, a survivor who went into cardiac arrest and had collapsed on the ice at the Earl Armstrong Arena in 2009. Luckily, a nearby City of Ottawa employee, Mr. Dana Clarke, saw this take place and was able to revive him using an AED.
“What happened to me could have happened to anyone,” said Mr. Corriveau, “I am thankful for the support of our federal government on this important initiative for a simple device that can literally save lives.”
Defibrillators are electronic devices used to restart a person’s heart that has stopped beating. They are safe, easy-to-use, and while they can be operated effectively by the public, training equips people with the knowledge and skills to confidently use these devices.
“The Federal government has been a committed, long-time supporter of the Heart & Stroke AED Program,” says Greg Killough, Health Promotion Specialist, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. “With the help of individuals, community groups and funding partners, one day, life-saving AEDs will become as commonplace as fire extinguishers.”
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, approximately 40,000 Canadians experience sudden cardiac arrest each year, the majority of which occur either at home or in public places. For every minute that passes without help, a person’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest drops by seven to 10 per cent. However, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with the use of an AED before the arrival of Emergency Medical Services could double the chance of survival.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation sets the Canadian Guidelines for CPR, defibrillation and other aspects of emergency cardiovascular care in Canada. Learning CPR/AED is easy and inexpensive and it could mean saving the life of a friend or family member.
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Photo Caption (from left to right): André Corriveau, a survivor who was saved by the use of an AED in 2009, Greg Furlong, Program Manager, Ottawa Paramedic Service, Democratic Reform Minister Pierre Poilievre, MP for Nepean-Carleton, and Greg Killough, Health Promotion Specialist, Heart & Stroke Foundation.