Calgary First Aid: A Heartbreaking Reminder of Why CPR Training Is Essential

A tragic incident involving Olympic skier Bode Miller’s 19-month-old daughter has once again underscored the critical importance of knowing CPR. The recently released 911 call — which can be read in full in the original Associated Press report published by KSL News

👉  Call reveals frantic effort to save Bode Miller’s daughter    reveals the frantic efforts of bystanders as they struggled to save the toddler after she fell into a backyard swimming pool.

At the start of the call, a woman urgently pleads, “Yes, hurry. HURRY,” as she tells the dispatcher the child is not breathing and has no pulse. When asked if she needs coaching through CPR, she responds, “Coach me through it, please.”

Throughout the call, the emotional intensity is unmistakable. A man can be heard urgently saying, “I have a small pulse… I need an oxygen machine here. Like now.” The dispatcher stays on the line, providing CPR instructions and reassurance as sirens approach in the distance.

“Come on, Emmy. Come on baby girl,” the woman pleads as minutes pass and help races toward them.

Emergency CPR being performed poolside to show importance of quick first aid response.
Bystanders perform CPR after a drowning incident, showing how trained responders can make a life-saving difference during emergencies.

The ongoing dangers of drowning

Paramedics arrived quickly and continued resuscitation attempts while transporting the child to the hospital, according to Capt. Tony Bommarito of the Orange County Fire Authority. Sadly, despite everyone’s efforts, the toddler could not be revived.

This incident is not isolated. Orange County reported 13 drownings so far this year, including several involving young children under the age of five. The Fire Authority has since reposted its water-safety guidelines, emphasizing the importance of:

  • Constant adult supervision around water

  • Secure pool barriers and locked gates

  • Immediate access to CPR training

Drowning is silent and quick—knowing what to do in those first moments is crucial.

About the Miller family

Bode Miller, the most decorated male skier in U.S. history—with 33 World Cup wins, four world championships, and six Olympic medals—shared his grief publicly. In a post alongside a photo of him holding his daughter, he wrote, “Thank you for all the love and support.” In another message, he said, “Never in a million years did we think we would experience a pain like this.”

Miller and his wife, professional volleyball player Morgan Miller, are parents to three older children. The skiing community and fans worldwide expressed condolences as news of the tragedy spread.

Why CPR training matters more than ever

This heartbreaking event highlights a vital truth: during an emergency, bystanders are often the first and only people capable of making a life-saving difference.

While 911 dispatchers can provide CPR instructions over the phone, having proper Training means you can act confidently and immediately—long before professional help arrives.

Whether at home, at the pool, or in a public space, CPR skills save lives. Even one trained person at the scene can dramatically improve a victim’s chances of survival.

Take action: learn the skills that save lives

Calgary First Aid offers certified First Aid and CPR courses designed to prepare you to respond effectively during emergencies like drowning, cardiac arrest, and respiratory failure.

Learn more about CPR and water safety:

Serving Calgary and the surrounding areas the lowest priced, highest quality OH&S approved first aid training, CPR and food safety courses for over 15 years!

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