By A.P. Crawford (ap.crawford@skipatrol.ca)
In May 2023 Carl Drouin was at a dinner with co-workers when he noticed that one of the guests was showing signs of breathing difficulties. The individual had choked on a piece of meat.
Upon assessing that the individual had a complete airway obstruction, Carl immediately reacted by applying chest compressions to relieve the obstruction. After a few attempts, the piece of meat was expelled, saving the person’s life.
The actual first aid applied in this case was straightforward, however this incident took place only a few months after a January 2023 fatality on the T-bar lift at his home resort of Val St-Côme, at which Carl was one of the team of responders and from which he was still recovering.
In the May incident, Carl was the lone responder and provided immediate assistance with exemplary calm and professionalism. This is why we spend so much time perfecting our basic life support skills so that when we need them, they are there.
The CSP was proud to recognize Carl’s efforts and presented him with the John D. Harper Lifesaving Award in September of 2024.
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