Gordon McDougall is celebrating heart month a little differently this year. In fact, he is celebrating every day a little differently after surviving a heart attack.
B次元官网网址淓veryday is a gift now,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e had days with my grandchildren I never would have had, days with my spouse, my family.B次元官网网址�
McDougall was hiking with a friend at Matheson Lake in Metchosin on Sept. 5, 2015, when 20 minutes into his walk, he went into cardiac arrest and collapsed.
B次元官网网址淚t was life or death,B次元官网网址� said McDougallB次元官网网址檚 wife, Patricia Foster. B次元官网网址淭here was no cell reception.B次元官网网址�
But fate was on his side that day as two Capital Regional District Bylaw officers happened to be in the area and were first on scene to start giving him CPR.
The Metchosin Fire Department was not far behind and once on scene they had to shock him three times. Crews met a B.C. Ambulance team in the parking lot and they were able to revive McDougall, who was said to be conscious and speaking, although he doesnB次元官网网址檛 remember that. A B.C. Ambulance Advanced Life Support team took over his care and transported him to hospital.
McDougall was in Langford on ValentineB次元官网网址檚 Day at the B.C. Ambulance Dispatch Centre on Leigh Road, to thank his rescuers and stand with them as they were recognized for their life-saving actions.
B次元官网网址淚 remember waking up in the hospital and ever since then IB次元官网网址檝e wanted to say thank you to these amazing people,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been pretty emotional.B次元官网网址�
B.C. Ambulance Service supports two community awards to recognize significant contributions made by citizens during medical emergencies. The two CRD bylaw officers and eight members of the Metchosin Fire Department were honoured with the Vital Link Award for helping to save McDougallB次元官网网址檚 life. The award is presented to citizens who are involved in saving a life through successful CPR.
B次元官网网址淓very minute that passes without help, a patientB次元官网网址檚 rate of survival drops by about 10 per cent,B次元官网网址� said Colin McTaggart, B.C. Ambulance Service district manager. B次元官网网址淣o oneB次元官网网址檚 ever woken up from cardiac arrest and complained about the help they received.B次元官网网址�
While none could attend the event, McTaggart also recognized the dispatchers who played a key role in the call and many others every day.
He noted that often, dispatchers train callers how to perform CPR over the phone, a step that can make all the difference.
B次元官网网址淚f you donB次元官网网址檛 know how to do CPR, please learn B次元官网网址� The sooner you can get on the chest, the more outcomes weB次元官网网址檒l have like Gordon,B次元官网网址� he added, turning to McDougall. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e a lucky man.B次元官网网址�
It was a sentiment not lost on him, as McDougall is now involved in a clinical trial for stem cell research at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. ItB次元官网网址檚 an opportunity he said he would not have if he was dead and he hopes the research will help save lives. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just been miracle after miracle after miracle.B次元官网网址�
After the event, Darren Lam, a member of the advanced life support team that attended the call that day, approached McDougall to say hi. McDougallB次元官网网址檚 face lit up.
B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e the only face I remember B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 just a flash,B次元官网网址� he said.
Lam laughed and joked thatB次元官网网址檚 probably because he was the one McDougall was staring at longest while being treated. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 good to see youB次元官网网址檙e in good health,B次元官网网址� Lam added. The pair exchanged a handshake and Lam headed back to work.
B次元官网网址淭here arenB次元官网网址檛 really words to express how thankful I am,B次元官网网址� McDougall said.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com
