Team Effort Helps Save Life of St-Stephen Man
MONCTON, New Brunswick — A joint effort between two Canada Border Services Officers (CBSA), a Police Officer, a Nurse and two Paramedics helped save the life of a man in St-Stephen on December 3, 2008.
Gary Lord of St-Stephen was slumped over the wheel of his pickup truck on the side of the road when Greg Smythe, the CBSA officer, found him. Using his radio, Smythe asked for a call to be placed to 9-1-1. The patient was barely breathing and had a weak pulse. Shortly after, Mr. Lord stopped breathing and lost his pulse.
One of his colleagues, Sandy Pattison, heard the call and came to the scene. On the way, he also alerted RCMP Constable Teed. Once Pattison arrived, the two border officers started CPR. Shortly after, a nurse, Johanne Burns, arrived and took over chest compressions.
When Paramedics Joey Sloan and Crystal Jewett arrived, the patient was unresponsive and vital signs were absent. They defibrillated the patient while continuing CPR and inserting a King LTS airway device. CBSA Officer Sandy Pattison assisted the Paramedics in the ambulance until arrival at the Charlotte County Hospital in St. Stephen.
After being stabilized, the patient was then transferred to the Saint John Regional Hospital where he received treatment at the New Brunswick Heart Center. He was later discharged home with only minor side effects.
“I must say that it was one of the most fulfilling feelings I have experienced, to assist a fellow officer, overcome fear, having the tools when needed, helping the paramedics and finally assisting in saving a man’s life, ” says CBSA officer Sandy Pattison, one of the first responders at the scene.
The successful outcome of this event demonstrates the importance of each link in the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada’s Chain of Survival. The cardiac emergency was promptly recognized, the EMS system was activated immediately and CPR was started without delay. The Paramedics provided much needed defibrillation followed by advanced care at the hospital.
About Ambulance New Brunswick
ANB is dedicated to providing high-quality pre-hospital care for New Brunswickers. ANB is responsible for providing land and air ambulance services throughout New Brunswick. ANB has contracted with New Brunswick EMS, a subsidiary of Medavie EMS, member of the Medavie Blue Cross Group of Companies, to ensure delivery of these services under a long-term contract.
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Media contacts:
Sophie Cormier-Lalonde
External Communications Officer
Ambulance New Brunswick
506-872-6579
sophie.cormier-lalonde@smunbems.ca
Jennifer Morrison
Communications
Canada Border Services Agency - Atlantic Region
902-426- 2271
Jennifer.morrison@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca