Off-Duty Paramedic Saves Longtime Friend After Sudden Cardiac Arrest on Golf Course
When 41-year-old Michael Isely set out for a charity golf tournament at the Saskatoon Golf and Country Club, he never imagined the day would end with his life hanging in the balance. Fit, active, and experiencing only mild chest pressure, he brushed off the discomfort as stress or simply a “bad day.” Moments later, the unthinkable happened.
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Off-duty paramedic honoured for saving longtime friend suffering cardiac arrest
A Sudden Collapse
Michael remembers everything about that afternoon—right up until he dropped to the ground.
“I remember everything up until the point that I dropped,” Isely shared. “Past there, I really don’t remember anything until arriving at the hospital.”
He was experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest—an event where every second counts.
Two Friends on the Next Hole — and a Life-Saving Response
By an extraordinary stroke of luck, paramedic Brandon Blondeau and his father, Dr. Joseph Blondeau, were golfing just one hole behind Michael’s group. Longtime friends of the Isely family, they received an urgent call from someone who witnessed Michael collapse.
Brandon immediately jumped into a golf cart and raced toward his friend while shouting for his father to grab the AED from the clubhouse.
When Brandon reached him, the situation was critical.
“When I got there, I realized Mike didn’t have a pulse so I started CPR,” Brandon said. “There was a moment of panic—just one second—because it was someone I’ve known for so long. But I snapped out of it and went into training mode.”
Joseph arrived moments later, and together they delivered high-quality CPR and used the AED to deliver the lifesaving shock needed to restore Michael’s heartbeat.
Their rapid response is the reason he survived.
Recognizing the Heroes
For their actions, Brandon and Joseph were honoured with the Heart Safe Award by Medavie Health Services West. Their response—alongside other City of Saskatoon employees recognized the same day—highlights the importance of widespread CPR and AED training.
The event also strengthened their already long-standing friendship. Afterward, Brandon jokingly told Michael he owed him lunch—a debt Michael has happily repaid more than once.
A Powerful Reminder: CPR and AED Training Saves Lives
Michael’s story is a powerful reminder that cardiac emergencies can happen anywhere—golf courses, workplaces, community centres, or home.
And the difference between life and death often comes down to someone nearby knowing what to do.
If you want to build confidence and be prepared to step in during an emergency, consider taking a certified CPR course. These are the exact skills that helped save Michael’s life that day.
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https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
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