Survivor Stories Show the Power of CPR, AEDs, and Rapid Action
Life-threatening emergencies can strike without warning — but quick action can make the difference between life and death. That truth was powerfully illustrated during the 7th annual Survivor Day, an event organized by Essex-Windsor paramedics to reunite first responders with patients who were revived after being clinically dead.
This emotional celebration brought together paramedics, dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, and the grateful families whose lives they touched.
Many of these stories were originally reported by the Windsor Star — you can read the full article here.
A Dramatic Rise in Lives Saved
When Survivor Day first began, only five survivors were recognized. Today, that number has grown sixfold, with 31 lives saved in 2016 alone.
Dr. Paul Bradford, chief of emergency medicine at Windsor Regional Hospital, credited this remarkable improvement to several key advancements:
More bystanders performing immediate CPR
Increased availability of public-use defibrillators (AEDs)
Advances in paramedic skills and life-saving technology
Faster access to cardiac catheterization in hospitals
Step-by-step CPR coaching from 911 dispatchers
These improvements work together to dramatically improve survival odds — and they highlight why CPR and AED training is such a crucial skill for everyday citizens.
If you want to gain the same life-saving confidence, explore our CPR and AED training courses in Calgary.
Real Stories of Courage, Quick Thinking, and Community Response
Survivor Day featured dozens of emotional reunions between patients and the people who refused to give up on them. Several stories stood out as powerful reminders of how unpredictable emergencies can be — and how anyone can become a hero.
A Stroke Survivor Reunites With Her Rescuers
Joanne Lajeunesse embraced paramedics Zach Livingston and Matt Moore, who helped save her life after she suffered a major stroke at home. Her husband and daughter immediately called 911, and dispatchers guided them through CPR until paramedics arrived.
A Family Dog Alerts the Household
One unforgettable story involved heart attack survivor John Bradac, who collapsed in his living room. His family dog, Buddy, began making strange “screaming” noises — sounds the family had never heard before — waking them and leading them to find Bradac collapsed on the floor. Their quick action helped save his life.
A Bystander’s CPR Gives a “Hail Mary” a Chance
When Allen Taylor collapsed from cardiac arrest, his wife Maureen — trained through Girl Guides — immediately began CPR. When she became tired, their son seamlessly took over by placing his hands over hers, ensuring compressions never stopped.
Paramedics ultimately used a rare synchronized “double shock” from two defibrillators — a last-resort technique Taylor became only the second person in Canada to survive.
Everyday Heroes Stepping In
Survivor Day also highlighted numerous everyday heroes:
Coworkers who performed CPR on a collapsed Chrysler Assembly worker
An off-duty nurse who saved a woman at Wendy’s
A passerby who performed CPR through a crashed car’s window
A 72-year-old woman who stepped in to save her husband
Community members reviving a homeless woman who collapsed on the sidewalk
Colleagues performing CPR on a man at work until paramedics arrived
One survivor, American businessman Steve McGowan, remembered nothing of the incident. “I came here to work and I woke up a week later in Detroit,” he said. He later returned from Illinois to thank the people who saved him.
Why Bystander CPR Matters More Than Ever
Event organizer EMS Capt. Cathie Hedges explained that survival rates have improved dramatically over the last decade.
Seven years ago, only 10% of cardiac arrest victims received bystander CPR.
Today, more than half do — a shift directly linked to improved CPR awareness, more public training, and increased access to AEDs.
Be Ready to Save a Life
These stories highlight one simple truth: ordinary people save lives every day.
With the right training, you can be ready to step in during the most critical moments. To build real confidence and learn essential skills, consider enrolling in a local CPR course.
Start here: First responders reunited with patients brought back from death
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