By A.P. Crawford (ap.crawford@skipatrol.ca)
On January 22, 2025, at a recreational hockey game at a municipal arena, Steeve Vachon collapsed suddenly while skating toward the goal, the victim of sudden cardiac arrest. He collapsed face-first onto the ice, wearing only his standard protective hockey gear. The first responders were also in full hockey gear, including skates; there were no on-site medical personnel, and the only resource was a public-access AED.
Jean-Pierre Thibault, a fellow team member, was the first to respond and the only CSP patroller present. He quickly determined that Steeve was unconscious, not breathing and had no pulse. Despite falling on his face, no visible facial injuries, bleeding, bruising or apparent trauma were evident. Working with two civilians (all three were friends and teammates with the patient), Jean-Pierre led and coordinated the patient care.
Steeve’s condition required immediate resuscitation and Jean-Pierre, working with one of his co-responders, immediately removed Steeve’s hockey gear to allow access to the chest, and then in rotation with the others, provided CPR. A bystander retrieved an AED which arrived at the scene approximately two minutes after the collapse.
A physician and player scheduled for the next game arrived as the AED was being deployed and validated the quality of care already in progress, observed the AED analysis and oversaw the delivery of the single shock that successfully restored Steeve’s pulse and spontaneous breathing. He regained consciousness approximately six minutes after collapsing, still on the ice.
Upon the arrival of EMS, Steeve’s neurological status was intact based on the on-site clinical observations. He was transported to hospital for further care and available information indicates he made a full recovery.
The success of this rescue is directly attributed to the speed, quality and coordination of the care provided by Jean-Pierre and the civilians involved. It is an example of a flawlessly executed chain of survival in a non-medical setting.
In September 2025, the CSP was pleased to recognize Jean-Pierre Thibault’s efforts with the John D. Harper Lifesaving Award.
This post is also available in: