Defibrillators Save Lives: Windsor Man Urges Everyone to Learn CPR & AED Use
A Windsor man is alive today thanks to the quick actions of his teammates—and a nearby defibrillator.
Andrew Brown, 51, suffered a massive heart attack earlier this month after finishing a pickup hockey game at the Belle River Arena. One moment he was chatting with a friend in the dressing room, and the next, he collapsed.
Brown doesn’t remember anything after passing out.
“I woke up in Henry Ford Hospital after that,” he said.
Fast Action Made the Difference
Fortunately, Brown’s teammates immediately recognized something was wrong. Volunteer firefighter Harold Wagner rushed to help, performing CPR until a rink attendant brought over the arena’s automated external defibrillator (AED). Those early, decisive steps—CPR followed by defibrillation—saved Brown’s life.
He later underwent emergency heart surgery at Windsor Regional Hospital and continues to recover.
“Everyone Should Know How to Use an AED”
Brown is now urging the public to get comfortable with AEDs and learn the basics of CPR.
“Everybody should have a defibrillator ready,” he said. “If you’re going out playing pickup hockey, if they’re public skating—whatever—somebody in that arena should know where the defibrillator is and know how to use it.”
His message is simple: emergencies can happen anywhere, and immediate action dramatically improves survival rates.
Why CPR and AED Training Matters
Quick, effective CPR keeps blood flowing until a defibrillator can restart the heart. When both are delivered promptly, survival rates can double or even triple. Public places—especially sports arenas—are encouraged to keep AEDs accessible and ensure staff and regular users know where they are located.
If you want to gain these life-saving skills, consider enrolling in a certified CPR and AED course.
👉 Learn how to help when it matters most: https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
Learn More
For more information about Andrew Brown’s story, read the original CBC article:
Defibrillators save lives, says Windsor heart attack patient
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