Life-saving knowledge

Paramedics could save even more lives if a more people knew CPR, says the deputy chief of the Superior North EMS.

More than 500 Grade 8 students from Lakehead Public Schools and Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board received a crash course on first aid at the Sports Dome on Wednesday. Superior North EMS paramedics led the students in basic first aid techniques, including administrating first aid, the Heimlich maneuver and using defibrillators.

The students also received a kit to take home to teach their parents how to do CPR.
Superior North EMS Deputy Chief Wayne Gates said it was important that the children knew how to administer first aid techniques. The students are old enough that they could properly do chest compressions and possibly save lives.

"Especially in Thunder Bay, when we have a cardiac arrest in a public place, we only have one maybe out of 10 times that CPR is actually being done when we get there," Gates said.
"We’re hoping this will encourage kids to do CPR.

“CPR is important. It saves lives and we want to see more lives saved in Thunder Bay and in the district."

Gates said he wanted Thunder Bay to have the same track record as Seattle. where an estimated 80 per cent of people know CPR.

He added that Seattle has a save rate of 50 per cent compared to Thunder Bay’s save rate of 10 per cent.

The reason for Seattle’s highly trained population is because companies and offices give CPR courses, he said.

"We’re saving maybe eight to 10 people a year here in Thunder Bay out of maybe 110 people," he said. "Doing something is better than doing nothing and these kids I know will put their heart into it. This is going to a fun day for them."

Katrina Fiddler, 13, a Grade 8 student at École Gron Morgan Public School, said she knew the importance of knowing CPR.

A few months ago, her 10-year-old-sister Kayla choked on a cheese steak. Her sister was able to cough up the cheese steak but Katrina said she felt scared that she couldn’t do anything to help her sister.

"I really want to learn how to do CPR," Katrina said. "When people choke they could die."
Darrien Leclair, 13, also a Grade 8 student from École Gron Morgan, said she learned CPR last year and knew it was a useful skill just in case someone needs help.

"If someone is in trouble and you don’t know what to do the chances of them living are slim," Darrien said.