Calgary First Aid: How Quick Action Saved a Teammate’s Life
For 10 critical minutes, the life of 23-year-old Sean Ferguson depended entirely on the quick thinking and teamwork of his friends. What happened that day at Sullivan Field House is a powerful reminder of why first aid, CPR, and AED training truly matter.
A Sudden Collapse
On June 9, teammates Sean Ferguson and Kenny Long were warming up before a casual basketball game when everything changed. Sean suddenly collapsed. Long immediately sensed something was wrong.
“He had a look in his eye… he said something wasn’t feeling right and that was it,” Long recalled.
At first, they thought Sean might be joking—he was known for his sense of humour—but the seriousness became clear quickly. The team instantly called 911.
Teammates Turned First Responders
Five members of the Sydney Sooners—Kenny Long, Jordon Shepherd, Taylor Slade, Reilly O’Rourke, and assistant operations manager Noah LaRose—immediately stepped in to help their friend, who had a known heart condition.
While LaRose ran outside to guide paramedics and Slade sprinted to grab the nearest AED from the Canada Games Complex, the others began CPR under the instruction of the 911 dispatcher.
“The boys were all doing CPR and keeping the oxygen flowing until the ambulance got there,” Long said.
Using an AED: A Critical Turning Point
Rookie teammate Taylor Slade had recently completed CPR training through his program at the Nova Scotia Community College. He also knew exactly where the closest AED was located.
After attaching the AED pads, the machine immediately advised a shock.
“When it said ‘shock advised,’ that was scary. This was real,” Slade recalled.
He delivered a life-saving shock with guidance from the dispatcher. A nurse on campus joined in, helping maintain CPR until paramedics arrived moments later.
The Emotional Aftermath
Adrenaline kept the teammates focused in the moment, but the emotional weight set in later.
“You didn’t think anything was real until you got to the hospital,” LaRose said.
O’Rourke felt the same:
“I didn’t realize how serious it was until we saw his family. That’s when it hit me.”
A Remarkable Recovery
Sean remained in a coma for several days, but slowly began to improve. He responded to commands, then began sitting up, talking, and even joking like his old self again.
“He’s a fighter… most people don’t come back from that,” Shepherd said.
Sean expressed deep gratitude to everyone involved. Although he still faced surgery and recovery time, his teammates’ actions gave him something priceless—more life ahead, including the chance to marry his fiancée, former CBU soccer star Alyssa Kavanagh.
“There’s nothing stopping him from getting married,” Shepherd added.
Why CPR Training Matters
This incident highlights just how crucial quick action, CPR, and AED skills are in an emergency. You don’t need to be a medical professional—just trained, prepared, and willing to act.
If you want to gain these life-saving skills, consider enrolling in a certified CPR course in Calgary.
👉 Learn CPR & AED skills here: https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
Learn More & Get Prepared
Equip yourself with the same life-saving skills that made the difference for Sean. Explore these helpful resources:
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