Jennifer Makinson doles out warm hugs and a stream of thank-yous to the Ottewell family. She stops in front of 17-year-old Thomas, a Claremont secondary student, looks in his eyes and thanks him for saving her husbandB次元官网网址檚 life.
The teen played a key role in bringing David Makinson, 82, back to life on Jan. 30, after he suffered a minor heart attack while out for a walk on Cordova Bay Road with his wife.
Thomas, who works as a lifeguard at Panorama Recreation Centre, was passing by on his scooter at that very moment, and immediately stopped and ran to DavidB次元官网网址檚 aid.
B次元官网网址淭homas advised Jennifer that he was first aid trained and took over CPR. He calmly directed Jennifer to begin giving her husband breaths, while he began chest compressions,B次元官网网址� said Saanich police Chief Mike Chadwick, recounting the incident to the Saanich police board on Tuesday.
Saanich police Const. Janis Carmena arrived soon after and helped Ottewell with the exhaustive procedure of chest compressions. The Saanich Fire Department arrived and used an automated external defibrillator (AED), which successfully revived David. He was taken to Royal Jubilee Hospital in stable condition.
According to an ambulance attendant, the elderly man had, in fact, died, and was saved by a combination of OttewellB次元官网网址檚 CPR and the AED.
Thomas was awarded the Chief ConstableB次元官网网址檚 Certificate of Recognition Citizen Award B次元官网网址渇or his courage to take action and his ability to remain composed and focused under intense stress,B次元官网网址� Chadwick said.
The young Saanich resident was speechless upon receiving the recognition, but suggested that everyone get basic first-aid training. B次元官网网址淓veryone should take a CPR course. TheyB次元官网网址檙e easy to take, itB次元官网网址檚 quite simple and you could save a life,B次元官网网址� he said.
ThomasB次元官网网址� parents, Lee and Carole, say theyB次元官网网址檙e extremely proud of him for stepping up. B次元官网网址淗e was there at the right time. Great result,B次元官网网址� Lee said. B次元官网网址淎 lot of trained lifeguards that know how to do CPR have never actually done it, and he has, and it worked, and it saved a life.B次元官网网址�
David remains in hospital, and Jennifer says heB次元官网网址檚 doing B次元官网网址渜uite well,B次元官网网址� given that he had a heart attack. Thomas is looking forward to meeting David once heB次元官网网址檚 feeling better.
kslavin@saanichnews.com
