A sea cadet named Mikhael Zavala; 16 years old provided first aid on the man having a seizure.
Zavala was on his way to meet his fellow cadets during the Pirates Days festival at Fisherman’s Cove in Eastern Passage where they were volunteering. One of his companions asked him if he had first aid training. Zavala answered them that he had first aid training.
Saving a life
He was then brought over to a man who was having a seizure. They needed a first aid responder. Zavala is working with the 24 Magnificent Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps in Dartmouth.
He saw the man surrounded by family members and one is holding an umbrella over his head to protect him from the heat of the sun.
Some bystanders started surrounding the victim. Zavala together with a small group of other cadets immediately run into action. We have to disperse the crowd to give space for family members to take care of their son. Some cadets were stationed in areas to keep bystanders from the area. They also ensured in keeping the road clear in time for the paramedics to arrive.
Meanwhile while waiting for the paramedics to arrive, he asked permission from the family members if he could provide first aid on the victim. According to a relative, the victim has a recurring medical condition that the family deals regularly.
He immediately provided first aid on the victim and remained in the area and made sure that the condition of the victim does not worsen and provide water if there is a need. Some of the cadets knew exactly what to do. The cadets saw that Zavala was performing first aid and giving the necessary assistance, they really understood that Zavala is in control of the situation. Zavala was the only few cadets in the area with proper first aid training and very familiar with that field.
According to Zavala, he was very nervous with the situation. He was beginning to freak out due to a very stressful situation. Zavala had to concentrate on the duty on hand and not to concentrate on the fact that he was really nervous about the situation. The condition of the man was improving by the time the ambulance arrived in the area.
According to the officer of Zavala, Lt. Angela Riley, she was very proud of the fast actions of Zavala and the other cadets in managing the situation. All of it just came together so quickly and I hardly gave them any directions. These cadets will grow up and make a big difference.
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LEARN MORE
Learn how to help by enrolling in a first aid and CPR course and for more information, check out these sources: