Calgary First Aid: Roadside CPR Keeps Baby Girl Alive
A seven-week-old baby girl is alive today thanks to the quick thinking and life-saving skills of two bystanders who stopped along St. Laurent Boulevard in Ottawa. Geraldina Carvalho and David McEvoy, strangers to one another, pulled over and performed CPR until paramedics arrived—an intervention that ultimately saved the infant’s life.
A Moment That Made All the Difference
The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m., as Geraldina Carvalho was driving home from her shift at the Perley Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre. She noticed a group of people gathered on the roadside and a woman holding a baby who appeared unresponsive. Something instinctive told her to stop.
When she approached, the baby was turning purple. Carvalho couldn’t feel a pulse and noticed the child’s heart was beating extremely slowly. Drawing on her training as a personal support worker, she immediately began CPR.
Moments later, bylaw officer and CPR instructor David McEvoy spotted the emergency and pulled over to help. He took over chest compressions while Carvalho continued ventilations.
“It felt like forever,” McEvoy recalled. The baby began to move, then went limp again. Several rounds of CPR were needed before her chest finally started to rise and fall on its own.
Waiting for Answers
Once emergency responders took over, both Carvalho and McEvoy left the scene—unsure of whether the baby would survive. They later watched the news anxiously, hoping for an update.
Thanks to their quick intervention, the little girl survived.
“I’m glad I stopped and I did the right thing,” Carvalho said.
McEvoy added: “It doesn’t matter if you just know a little bit or a lot. Do something. We did something, and it made a difference for parents who are able to hold their daughter today.”
You can read the full original news report from CBC here:
👉 It made a difference’: roadside CPR keeps baby girl alive
Why CPR and First Aid Training Matter
Emergencies can happen anywhere and without warning. This story is a powerful reminder of how valuable CPR training truly is. Immediate action can double—or even triple—a person’s chance of survival.
If you want to be prepared to step in during an emergency, consider taking a certified CPR course. Even a small amount of training can give you the confidence to act when every second counts.
Learn More
If this story inspires you—as it has inspired many—consider exploring additional resources on basic first aid and CPR:
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