Ottawa Bystanders Save Jogger’s Life After Sudden Cardiac Arrest
A jogger in his 60s is alive today thanks to the quick, coordinated actions of a City of Ottawa parks employee and a bystander who stepped in when every second counted.
According to Ottawa Paramedic Services, the incident happened around 8:40 a.m. at Neill Nesbitt Park near Holitman and Foxfield Drives in Barrhaven. The man collapsed suddenly while jogging, suffering a cardiac arrest.
📄 Original news source:
City worker, woman save jogger’s life
Immediate CPR Made the Difference
City employee Troy Featherston and a nearby bystander found the man unresponsive and immediately started CPR, continuing chest compressions until paramedics arrived. Their rapid response provided critical blood flow to the brain and vital organs.
Paramedics delivered two defibrillator shocks and administered epinephrine, after which the man regained circulation and began breathing and moving on his own. He was transported to hospital in critical but stable condition.
Supt. Marc-Antoine Deschamps emphasized the importance of bystander intervention, noting that “CPR initiated by bystanders is one of the crucial links of the chain of survival for cardiac arrests. Without this step, chances of survival are greatly diminished.”
Why Bystander CPR Matters
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests can happen anywhere—parks, workplaces, gyms, or at home. When CPR is started immediately:
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Survival rates double or triple
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Brain damage is less likely
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The patient has a greater chance of leaving the hospital neurologically intact
Featherston and the bystander showed exactly how lifesaving early CPR can be.
Be Prepared to Act
CPR is simple, effective, and truly lifesaving. With proper training, anyone can gain the confidence to help during an emergency.
➡️ Learn these skills by enrolling in a CPR & AED course:
https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
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