Teen Recognized for Saving Her Father During Sudden Cardiac Arrest
A 14-year-old Winnipeg girl is being celebrated for her quick thinking and life-saving actions after her father collapsed from cardiac arrest shortly after returning from a jog.
When 47-year-old Tony Warzel suddenly collapsed at home, his daughter Andrea immediately called 911 while her mother, Susan, and sister began performing CPR. Although it was Andrea’s first time making an emergency call, dispatchers praised her for relaying instructions clearly and staying focused under pressure.
“It was my first time calling 911,” Andrea said. “Everything you learn about it as a kid goes out the window with the nerves and fear, but I’m thankful my dad is alive today.”
A Family Effort to Save a Life
While Susan performed CPR, Andrea followed step-by-step guidance from the 911 dispatcher. Emergency responders arrived quickly and used a defibrillator twice to restore Tony’s heartbeat. He was then transported to hospital, where doctors inserted a stent to open a blocked coronary artery. Tony has since recovered and is doing well.
According to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, Andrea’s composure played a major role in the successful rescue.
“Andrea’s calmness under pressure was incredible,” WFPS chief John Lane said. “Young people like Andrea show how important it is to teach children how to call 911 quickly and calmly.”
Andrea, however, remembers the moment differently.
“I didn’t feel calm at all,” she said. “But saving my dad was a total family effort. Everyone played a part.”
Tony expressed immense gratitude for his family and the responders:
“I’m so proud of my daughter and so impressed with how she talked to dispatchers and helped her mother perform CPR. Without them and the emergency crews, things could have turned out very differently.”
Why CPR Training Matters
Tony’s outcome highlights a critical fact: Immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival during cardiac arrest.
Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere — and often at home. Knowing how to respond quickly, call 911, and start CPR can make the difference between life and death.
If you want to be prepared to act during an emergency, consider enrolling in one of our First Aid & CPR Training Courses. These hands-on programs teach essential skills that could help save someone you love.
➡ Learn more about our certified CPR programs here:
https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
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