The bystander apathy was nowhere to be seen at the North Shore Winter Club January 25, 2023, when Tim Tanaka, a paramedic and recreational adult hockey player, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
Tanaka’s teammates, Shane Hayes, Neel Sinha, Darren Donnelly, and NSWC staff member Jo-Ann Fry jumped into action.
They called 911 and began CPR while others sourced a defibrillator and first aid kit. Working collaboratively, they worked to help resuscitate Tanaka before paramedics arrived.
Four months on, and the BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) are presenting a Vital Link Award to the quartet of Good Samaritans. The award was gifted June 27, at the same place, and in the presence of a healthy Tanaka and his family members.
Greydon Ratushny, a career firefighter and paramedic in the Metro Vancouver area, who was an off-duty advanced care paramedic and played a pivotal role in saving Tanaka on the day of the incident, was also awarded a Letter of Commendation and Challenge Coin.
“I can’t speak highly enough of what they did for me that night. I know how fortunate I am to be here, and I am forever grateful for their actions,” said Tanaka, who has no memory of the night of the incident.
The BCEHS Vital Link Award honours the skillful and quick-thinking actions of bystanders who use CPR or an AED in cardiac arrest emergencies. Such actions are a vital link to a patient’s successful survival.
“It’s amazing to see stories like Tim’s, showing the impact of knowing CPR,” Brian Twaites, Paramedic Public Information Officer, said.
Over 60,000 Canadians suffer from out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest each year. When the public is trained in CPR and using an AED, they can double a person’s chance of survival.
Twaites added that many lives could be saved if everyone knew CPR and stepped up to help when someone collapsed.
“Even if you took a CPR course long ago or haven’t taken one yet, don’t hesitate to call 911. Emergency medical call takers can guide you through CPR and AED use over the phone,” the officer noted.
Organizations all over the province offer training, and knowing CPR can help save a stranger, a loved one, or a family member.
Fatemeh Falah is an intern reporter with the North Shore News. She can be contacted at [email protected].
