AEDs are Literal Life Savers

In the critical moments following cardiac arrest, automated external defibrillators (AEDs) stand as silent sentinels in public spaces across Canada, ready to help ordinary people perform extraordinary acts of heroism. When seconds count, these devices can mean the difference between life and death. Here are the stories of Canadians whose lives were saved thanks to the quick thinking of bystanders and the availability of AEDs.

The Hockey Hero of Halifax

It was supposed to be a routine Sunday morning pickup game at the Halifax Community Center. Richard Donovan, 54, was playing defense when he suddenly collapsed on the ice. His teammates initially thought he had tripped, but quickly realized something was terribly wrong.

"One second he was skating, the next he was down and not moving," recalls teammate Michael Chen. "We called out to him but got no response."

Chen, who had taken a CPR course just months earlier, immediately recognized the signs of cardiac arrest. While someone called 911, he and another player rushed to retrieve the AED mounted near the rink entrance.

"I remember my hands shaking as I turned it on," Chen says. "But the machine talks you through everything. It told us exactly what to do."

After analyzing Richard's heart rhythm, the AED advised a shock. Within minutes, paramedics arrived, but by then, Richard had already regained consciousness.

"I don't remember anything about that day until waking up in the ambulance," Richard says. "The doctors told me I had a 5% chance of survival without that AED. Those guys and that little box on the wall saved my life."

Today, Richard advocates for AED placement in all sporting facilities across Nova Scotia.

A Shopping Trip That Almost Ended Too Soon

For Maria Leclair, a Saturday afternoon at West Edmonton Mall turned into a fight for her life. The 62-year-old grandmother was shopping with her daughter when she suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed.

Mall security officer Jasmine Kaur responded to the emergency call and arrived to find Maria unconscious with no pulse. Kaur immediately began CPR while her colleague retrieved the nearest AED.

"We're trained for these situations, but when it actually happens, it's overwhelming," Kaur remembers. "The AED guided us through everything, analyzing her heart and telling us when to stand clear."

After two shocks from the AED and continued CPR, Maria began breathing again just as EMS arrived. She spent a week in the hospital and had a pacemaker implanted.

"I got to see my newest granddaughter born three months later," Maria says, tears in her eyes. "Without that AED and those quick-thinking security officers, I wouldn't be here today."

The Marathon Miracle in Toronto

The 2022 Toronto Waterfront Marathon witnessed not just athletic achievement but also a remarkable rescue. Elite runner Divya Patel, 35, had just passed the 30-kilometer mark when she suddenly collapsed.

Fellow runner Dr. Thomas Williams, an off-duty cardiologist, stopped immediately. "I could tell this wasn't just exhaustion or dehydration," he says. "She was in cardiac arrest."

Race medical staff quickly arrived with an AED while Williams performed CPR. "Even as a cardiologist, I was grateful for the AED," Williams admits. "In a situation like that, having the device guide you through the steps keeps you focused."

The AED delivered one shock, and Divya's heart rhythm stabilized. She was transported to Toronto General Hospital, where doctors discovered she had an undiagnosed congenital heart condition.

"I had no symptoms, no warning signs," Divya explains. "If this had happened while I was running alone on a trail instead of in a race with medical support and AEDs available, I wouldn't have survived."

Today, Divya works with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to promote AED availability at sporting events across the country.

The School Assembly That Became a Life Lesson

When vice-principal Robert Thornton suffered cardiac arrest during a high school assembly in Winnipeg, students witnessed firsthand the importance of emergency preparedness.

Grade 12 student Sarah Delaney, who had learned CPR and AED use in a school program, responded immediately. "Mr. Thornton was speaking one minute, and the next he just fell over," Sarah recalls. "Everyone was shocked, but I remembered my training."

Sarah directed a fellow student to get the AED while she began compressions. School nurse Barbara Thompson arrived moments later and helped apply the AED pads.

"Having a teenager respond so quickly and correctly was impressive," Thompson says. "The AED confirmed he needed a shock, and we delivered it. By the time paramedics arrived, he had a pulse."

Thornton made a full recovery and returned to school three months later. At graduation that year, he presented Sarah with a special award for her quick action.

"These students always saw these AED boxes on the wall but probably never thought about what they really mean," Thornton says. "Now they know—these devices save lives. My life."

Final Thoughts

These stories represent just a few of the estimated 500+ lives saved annually by AEDs in Canada. As public access to these devices continues to expand through initiatives like the National AED Initiative and provincial programs, more Canadians have a fighting chance when cardiac arrest strikes.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada recommends AEDs be placed in all public spaces and encourages Canadians to learn both CPR and how to use an AED. Remember—AEDs are designed to be used by anyone, with or without medical training. The device provides clear voice instructions and will only deliver a shock if it's needed.

In each of these stories, survival depended on three crucial elements: quick recognition of cardiac arrest, immediate CPR, and early defibrillation with an AED. Together, these actions form the chain of survival that gives cardiac arrest victims the best chance at recovery.

As these survivors can attest, that small box on the wall isn't just a piece of emergency equipment—it's a lifeline. Contact https://aed.ca/ today for more information on how to equip your facilities with AED Life Savers.