By A.P. Crawford (ap.crawford@skipatrol.ca)
On Sunday, February 9, 2025, the patrol at Lakeridge Ski Resort north of Ajax, Ontario was called to the main chalet with a report that a man had fainted outside of the men’s washroom. As the patrol was responding, the call was upgraded to the patient having a seizure.
Karen Heffer-Schultz was the first patroller on scene and determined that the patient had no vital signs and was non-responsive. She immediately began chest compressions.
Mark Crone arrived and asked a bystander to call 911 and for another bystander to bring the nearest AED device.
A bystander who identified himself as a physician offered assistance, and immediately took over the chest compressions. The AED arrived shortly thereafter; pads were placed on the patient while Karen and the bystander continued chest compressions, following the AED’s instructions.
Mark radioed the patrol hut and asked for a trauma kit to be brought to the scene. It arrived soon after with three additional patrollers. As soon as the patrollers were all working on the patient, the bystander observed that the group had the situation under control and quietly withdrew.
For the next 18 to 22 minutes the five patrollers maintained an open airway, administered oxygen, and rotated performing chest compressions in conjunction with the AED, which advised and then administered seven shocks.
EMS and the local fire department arrived and set up their own AED and pads while the compressions continued. When ready, they then took over the chest compressions. At the same time the police secured the perimeter around the scene.
Once the patient was stabilized, he was transported to hospital.
Feedback received from EMS a few days later advised that the patient had an enlarged heart which was the cause of this incident.
In September, the CSP was proud to award the John D. Harper Lifesaving Award to the team of Mark Crone, Mark Coleman, Sylvia Usling, Karen Heffer-Schultz and Joseph Heffer-Schultz from Kawartha Zone for their actions which saved the life of their patient.
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