Teen Surfer Saves Friend During Seizure in Tofino
A Vancouver teen doesn’t consider himself a hero, but his actions on the water tell a different story.
During a family vacation to Tofino, 15-year-old Asher Paglaro was surfing with a close friend at Cox Bay. The pair had spent the day riding waves when Asher noticed something was wrong. His friend looked dazed and was quietly repeating, “Help… help… help…”—barely audible over the surf.
At first, Asher thought his friend might be in shock or suffering a concussion. But as he paddled toward him, the ocean’s rip current grew stronger, dragging them both farther from the safety of shore.
Realizing the urgency of the situation, Asher tried to direct his friend onto his board. “You need to get on my board. I know how to get us out of this,” he yelled. His friend stared back but wasn’t responding.
Without hesitation, Asher grabbed hold of him and began paddling at a 45-degree angle—the safest way to escape a rip current. As they made progress toward the beach, his friend suddenly collapsed and began experiencing a seizure.
Thanks to Asher’s quick thinking and calm under pressure, he was able to get his friend close enough to shore for help to arrive. The teen was taken to Tofino General Hospital and later airlifted to Nanaimo Regional Hospital. He is now recovering well.
Asher’s mother, Tovah Paglaro, credits his fast response to the boys’ years of playing team sports together—learning to act decisively and support each other under pressure.
For more details, you can read the original CTV News article here:
👉 Vancouver teen rescues friend who had seizure while surfing in Tofino
Why First Aid Training Matters
Emergencies rarely happen when we expect them. In moments like this—whether on the beach, at work, or at home—knowing basic first aid and CPR can save a life.
If you’d like to be prepared for real-world emergencies such as seizures, drowning risks, or sudden illness, consider taking a well-rounded first aid program.
A great place to start is the Standard First Aid Course:
👉 https://firstaidcalgary.ca/standard-first-aid-courses/
Courses like this build the confidence and skills needed to act quickly when it matters most.
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