Daughter Honoured After Using CPR to Save Her Father’s Life
More than 40,000 Canadians experience sudden cardiac arrest every year — often with no warning.
A father’s eyes filled with tears as he looked at his 21-year-old daughter, Maslyn — the young woman who brought him back to life.
“She’s my hero,” said Martin Dansereau.
This story was originally reported by CBC News. You can read the full article here:
👉 Daughter honoured for using CPR to save father’s life
On January 15, 2016, Martin had just finished a treadmill workout in the basement of his Leduc County home when he suddenly felt unwell. Before he could call out, he collapsed.
Upstairs, Maslyn was studying when she heard a loud, alarming thud.
“I knew it was too loud for something to have just dropped, and my heart sank,” she recalled.
She ran downstairs and found her 51-year-old father face-down, unresponsive, and without a pulse. Her training immediately took over.
CPR for 20 Minutes — The Action That Saved a Life
As a third-year nursing student at MacEwan University, Maslyn had learned CPR as part of her program. She told her mother to call 911 and began chest compressions right away.
For nearly 20 minutes, she continued CPR until paramedics arrived — a level of composure that emergency medical staff later praised.
“During cardiac events, early CPR can be the difference between life and death,” said Darren Sandbeck, Chief Paramedic with Alberta Health Services (AHS) EMS.
Paramedics delivered three defibrillation shocks and began advanced care. When Martin began asking why his chest hurt, the crew knew they were witnessing something remarkable — he was waking up.
He was transported to the Mazankowski Heart Institute, where two stents were placed to restore blood flow. He survived without neurological damage — a rare outcome made possible by fast, effective CPR.
“Almost every nurse and doctor kept saying, ‘Your daughter saved your life.’ I’m so lucky she was there,” Martin said.
A Reminder That Cardiac Arrest Can Happen to Anyone
Each year, more than 40,000 Canadians suffer cardiac arrest.
85% of these emergencies happen outside a hospital.
Only 7–10% survive.
“It can happen anywhere, to anyone, at any age, with no warning,” said Katherine Nilson of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
“Bystander CPR is lacking, which is why Maslyn’s actions are so important. We all need these basic skills.”
The Dansereau family later partnered with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to create It Could Be You, a program focused on heart health and emergency preparedness.
“My dad is still my hero. But for him to say I’m his — that’s definitely a proud moment,” said Maslyn.
Martin has fully recovered, though the soreness in his ribs remains a daily reminder of the day CPR saved his life.
Be Ready to Save a Life
Early CPR and the use of an AED dramatically increase the chances of survival. Emergencies happen without warning — being trained makes all the difference.
If you want to learn how to respond effectively in a cardiac emergency, consider taking a certified CPR course.
👉 Learn CPR & AED skills in Calgary: https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
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