A ballroom dancing class at Port Moody’s Kyle Centre almost turned fatal for a woman last November. But a quick response from a pair of staff members to begin chest compressions and deploy the centre’s automatic defibrillator (AED) saved her life.
Cheryl Lynn and Jennifer Theobald were recently presented certificates of appreciation by Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay. But the city’s manager of recreation Jim LaCroix said they reacted just as all city employees who deal with the public have been trained.
LaCroix said his department’s 40 to 50 staff receive annual first aid training that includes instructions on how to clear airways and administer chest compressions and CPR. They’re also taught how to apply the AED. Qualifications must be re-certified every three years.
“Safety is an important thing for us,” he said, adding the device has helped save a life in the city on three previous occasions.
Port Moody’s first AED was donated to the Port Moody arena by the city’s oldtimers hockey association in 2010. There are now eight of the machines installed in five facilities: the front desk, weight room, arena lobby and breezeway between the two arenas at the rec complex; Kyle Centre; Civic Centre as well as Rocky Point and Westhill pools during the summer months.
Of course, knowing how to use the AED and actually doing it under the high-stakes stress of an emergency situation can be two vastly different things, LaCroix said. But the machines make it simple by guiding users through every step once they’ve properly applied the sensors.
Afterward, staff who are involved in an emergency situation are also offered counselling, LaCroix said.
Clay praised the cool heads of the Kyle Centre staffers.
“We go through so much at the city every day, we’re at constant risk that something could go wrong,” he said. “In this case, somebody is alive today from the fast actions of our staff.”
• The city is offering a free CPR and AED awareness session on Wed., May 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Inlet Centre fire hall. The free session will cover basic CPR skills as well as how to operate an AED. Advance registration is required at www.portmoody.ca or by calling 604-469-4556.
