Cardiac Arrest Survivor Installs Public AED Outside His Home to Protect His Community
For Kanata resident Chris Troughton, a defibrillator isn’t just a safety device—it’s the reason he’s alive today. His story was first reported by the Ottawa Citizen, and you can read the original article here:
➡️ Cardiac arrest survivor installs external defibrillator outside his house
After surviving four cardiac arrests, Troughton became determined to make automated external defibrillators (AEDs) more accessible to others.
He initially planned to buy an AED for his own home, but after meeting Action First Aid’s Roger Hennig, his thinking changed. Hennig encouraged him to install the unit outside his house in a weatherproof SaveStation cabinet so the entire neighbourhood could use it in an emergency. Troughton didn’t hesitate.
“It Makes Sense Because It’s Available to More People”
Kanata is home to families, seniors, children, and a nearby hockey rink—people of all ages who might one day need help fast.
Troughton knows how quickly life can change. In 2010, while driving home from a hockey game, he felt a sudden burning sensation in his chest. He urged his son to rush him to the hospital. Moments later, he collapsed and fell into a 10-day coma. A few years later, in 2013, he required a triple bypass.
AEDs helped save him multiple times, and he wanted his neighbours to have the same chance.
A Community Lifesaver Right at the Doorstep
The SaveStation cabinet installed outside Troughton’s home isn’t just a box—it’s a smart lifesaving station designed to support emergency response:
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Temperature-controlled cabinet keeps the AED ready year-round
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Security alarm alerts nearby residents
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Notifications sent to up to 60 neighbours when the door is opened
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Camera captures an image of the person retrieving the AED
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Weatherproof design built for Canadian winters
Ottawa South Coun. Allan Hubley praised the initiative, calling it “a great idea that takes community safety to a whole new level.”
The Reality of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Canada
A sudden cardiac arrest happens every 13 minutes in Canada.
According to Carly Jackson from Action First Aid:
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Survival exceeds 75% when an AED is used within the first 10 minutes
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More than 40,000 Canadians die each year from cardiac arrest
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Most incidents happen in homes, not public places
This is why community-access AEDs are becoming increasingly important.
AEDs Are Easy to Use — Even for a Child
AEDs are designed to guide everyday people:
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Clear voice instructions
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Prompts to call 911 and begin CPR
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Automatic heart rhythm analysis
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Shock delivered only when needed
As Jackson explained, “An eight-year-old could manage one.”
A Growing Movement for Public AEDs
Troughton is only the fourth person in Canada to install a publicly accessible AED on private property. His friend Paul Dogra, another cardiac arrest survivor saved by quick CPR and defibrillation, became the fifth soon after.
Troughton’s daughter is also planning to install a unit outside her home in Carp.
“We’re all trying to do something that’s really simple,” he says, “in the hopes that we never have to use it.”
Why CPR and AED Training Matters
Even with AEDs available, trained responders make a critical difference. Knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED boosts confidence and drastically improves survival chances during emergencies.
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