A Yellowknife man whose heart stopped while playing squash was saved. Terry Gray, 48- years old was playing squash at The Yellowknife Racquet Club with his friend Brooke Harker when he collapsed.

According to Gray, his heart went into a bad rhythm and it placed me into cardiac arrest. Harker quickly delivered CPR and called out for help. The Racquet Club employees Ozzie Vallejos, Devin Madsen and Jeff Hipfner came on the scene.

Immediate action

Edmonton first aid — Someone grabbed an automated external defibrillator (AED) from another room and attached the paddles to Gray’s chest.

Someone grabbed an automated external defibrillator (AED) from another room and attached the paddles to Gray’s chest.

Vallejos started mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. As Hipfner and Madsen watched, the AED delivered a shock.

Kristin Richardson who is a nurse practitioner with Public Health rushed to the scene. After an assessment, she alerted staff to call an ambulance and performed CPR until the arrival of the paramedics.

Prompt action is necessary in such emergencies. Immediate and continuous delivery of CPR followed by an automated external defibrillator (AED) can significantly increase the chances of survival. If delayed, the outcome would be a different one.

Assessment

Gray was transported to Stanton Territorial Hospital where he was placed in an induced coma. After 3 days, he was transferred to Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital where he went thru a series of tests which reveal that his heart is healthy.

Gray has an internal defibrillator in his heart to keep it beating in case he goes into cardiac arrest. According to Gray, he owes his life to those who helped him when he collapsed.

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