SFU Health Emergency Sparks Review of Protocols: Why Calling 911 First Matters
Calgary First Aid
A recent medical emergency at Simon Fraser University (SFU) has raised important questions about response procedures — and highlighted the critical role of CPR and first aid training in saving lives. Situations like this reinforce why proper training, such as the CPR & AED Courses offered by Calgary First Aid, is essential for everyone.
According to the SFU health emergency call added minutes to paramedic response
the incident involved a cardiac arrest on October 17 at SFU’s Burnaby Mountain campus. The emergency response began with a call to campus security instead of 911 — a decision that added approximately six minutes to the arrival time of paramedics.
What Happened During the Emergency
The first call from the scene came in at 7:24 p.m., following the university’s emergency instructions at the time, which directed callers to contact campus security first.
As officers rushed toward the patient, they contacted 911 at 7:30 p.m., but valuable minutes had already passed.
Six trained campus security officers arrived quickly and immediately began delivering CPR and using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to help sustain the patient until paramedics arrived.
The first B.C. Ambulance Service crew reached the scene at 7:38 p.m. Officials did not confirm the patient’s condition due to privacy laws.
Why Speed Matters in Cardiac Arrest
During cardiac arrest, the heart stops pumping blood to vital organs.
Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces survival chances by 7–10%.
While campus security may reach a location sooner due to proximity, medical authorities emphasize:
Calling 911 first always ensures the fastest paramedic response.
B.C. Emergency Health Services added that their operators can provide life-saving, step-by-step instructions on CPR and AED use until responders arrive.
SFU Updates Its Emergency Guidelines
After questions were raised, SFU updated its emergency webpages to instruct witnesses to call both 911 and campus security during a health emergency.
SFU vice-provost Tim Rahilly explained that while campus security remains a vital resource — especially due to the campus’s relative isolation — it cannot replace the need for an immediate 911 call.
Ambulance dispatchers now also contact SFU security simultaneously with incoming 911 calls to streamline coordination and guide paramedics directly to the scene.
The Importance of CPR and First Aid Training
Despite communication delays, the quick CPR and AED response from the six campus security officers played a crucial role in giving the patient the best possible chance before paramedics arrived.
This incident is a powerful reminder:
Every second counts — and knowing CPR can save a life long before an ambulance arrives.
If you want to gain the skills needed to respond effectively in an emergency, consider enrolling in a certified CPR program such as the CPR Courses at Calgary First Aid.
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