By Dominic Abassi

Nanaimo’s AED program having wide-reaching impact

Mar 10, 2017 | 4:43 PM

NANAIMO — By now, you’ve likely noticed an automated external defibrillator (AED) hanging on the wall at a Nanaimo rec facility.

What you might not realize is how big an impact the program has had since it was rolled out in 2009.

The AED’s have been used four times, three times by citizens, in Nanaimo arenas alone, according to the City’s arena manager Darcie Osborne.

“All four stories have led to life-saving experiences. I don’t think you can look at it any other way than successful,” Osborne said.

There are one or two machines in all major recreation facilities, including four in the Beban Park complex alone.

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The initiative to install the technology was driven by Nanaimo’s old timers hockey league, Osborne said.

“As we proceeded and took a look at what was out there, we learned the AED’s are very foolproof and very simple.”

Osborne said there was some hesitation when the program was introduced. “People really couldn’t believe this little, compact machine would be able to assess and quite literally walk you through the process of saving a life. Over time as they’ve been deployed and people have heard of the success stories…they’re getting more comfortable.”

Ed Heyes is a former hockey trainer, from a time when arenas would not have had the piece of life-saving equipment.

“Every business, down every half block in Nanaimo should have an AED,” Heyes said. “I was against it when it first came out, ‘here we go it’s a waste of money, people could steal it or damage it,’ but boy has my mind changed.”

Heyes also takes part in the city’s weekly senior leisure skate and was involved in saving a man’s life early this year.

Gary Paterson, recreation coordinator for arenas in Nanaimo, said the AED’s have “changed people’s lives.” He shared the story of a man in the city’s 70-plus scrub hockey league who was flatlined in an arena penalty box six years ago.

“You see him and you think, ‘isn’t that amazing how it’s extended his life for six more years.’”

Osborne urged people to take note of where the machines are in City rec facilities so if the moment ever comes, they can help save a life.

dominic.abassi@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @domabassi