By A.P. Crawford (ap.crawford@skipatrol.ca)
On October 19, 2024, Robert Cotey from Western Zone was attending a Canadian Power Sail dinner function at the Italian Cortina Club – Grand River Chapter, when a fellow member, Glen, collapsed behind him without warning. He immediately turned to assist and found Glen unresponsive and vital signs absent.
Robert immediately called 911 (putting his phone on speaker for easier communication with dispatch) and began CPR on Glen, an 83-year-old man with known heart problems. Since the event was a social gathering, Robert did not have any first aid equipment (no PPE, CPR mask or AED at the facility) so he began compression-only CPR. As he performed the compressions, he heard cracking sounds in Glen’s chest but continued.
Glen’s collapse happened about one hour after a meal and as a result he expelled some food and fluid from his mouth during the compressions. With no suction device, Robert rolled Glen onto his side and with help from two bystanders, cleared as much fluid as possible, and then resumed compressions. This happened multiple times and Robert cleared the airway as much as possible each time. As Glen was performing the compressions, Glen gave a few agonal breaths which Robert had to explain to the bystanders were not regular breaths and that compressions needed to continue.
It took approximately 10 to 15 minutes for EMS to arrive, with the police arriving first to clear space for rescuers. The local fire department arrived next, taking over compressions and using their AED to shock Glen once. Robert moved to a support role assisting the fire department personnel, helping with the bag-valve mask (a firefighter had difficulty in achieving the necessary seal) and ensuring the suction machine was functioning correctly since it was not at the outset.
Robert also worked closely with the paramedics when they arrived, continuing to assist until Glen’s pulse returned. Soon after, Glen began breathing on his own and once the rescuers moved him, he regained consciousness, although he was not coherent. At that point Robert was able to relax and begin to process the events that had transpired.
The next day, one of the paramedics called Robert to inform him that Glen was stable in hospital and return of spontaneous circulation had been achieved. The paramedic praised Robert’s quick actions, saying, “You did everything right for him.”
Since this was not a CSP function, no official reports were made available and there was limited information shared about Glen’s condition. However, Robert’s actions were crucial in saving Glen’s life and subsequent full recovery.
In September 2025, the CSP was pleased to recognize Robert Cotey with the John D. Harper Lifesaving Award for his actions which saved the life of a fellow power sail club member.
This post is also available in: French