C.A.R.E. – Cardiac Arrest Response & Education

Every kid should learn to save a life.

Who we are

Our group is made up of patients who survived a sudden cardiac arrest and family members who have lost a relative to sudden cardiac arrest. We also have scientists who are experts in this field, cardiologists, medical experts, paramedic organizations from York, Peel, Toronto, Halton, County Simcoe and organizations like the Ontario Paramedic Association and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, who promote public awareness about the warning signs for these conditions. We need more people like you to help convince the government that learning how to perform CPR and use an AED is the right thing to do. For more information please contact:

At St. Michael’s Hospital: Dr. Paul Dorian: paul.dorian@unityhealth.to or 416-864-5104 and Dr. Katherine Allan: katherine.allan@unityhealth.to, 416-864-6060 x.40043

The Problem

The most common cause of unexpected, sudden death is the sudden stoppage of the heart, otherwise known as “sudden cardiac arrest”. In the majority of cases, the heart stops pumping when it goes into a dangerous rhythm. In Canada it is estimated that ~35,000 Canadians experience a sudden cardiac arrest each year and of these only 10% survive.

The best way to help someone who has collapsed from a sudden cardiac arrest is to call 911 right away, start pushing on the person’s chest (chest compressions) to help the blood flow to the person’s heart and brain and to shock the person’s heart using an automatic external defibrillator (AED). An AED is a device that gives the person’s heart an electrical shock and helps the heart to go back into a normal heart rhythm.

Automated External Defibrillators (AED)

In Canada, only 1/3 of people who witness a person having a sudden cardiac arrest provide chest compressions and even less know what an AED is or where to find it. We want to help more people feel comfortable knowing how to perform chest compressions and use an AED to help save lives. After the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest, performing chest compressions and giving a shock can dramatically improve sudden cardiac arrest survival rates.

In young people, sometimes there are “warning symptoms” that can happen before the heart goes into a dangerous rhythm and these symptoms can be used to identify who might be at risk for a sudden cardiac arrest. One major warning symptom is fainting (sudden collapse) or dizziness, especially when this occurs during exercise. When this happens, it is important that everyone knows what to do.

The Solution

We believe that all teachers, coaches and sport organizations should know the warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest and know what to do when it happens. We believe that all schools should have the education and equipment needed to help save someone who is having a sudden cardiac arrest. This means that all schools should have an AED and all teachers, students, coaches and staff should know how to use it. All teachers, students, coaches and staff should also know how to perform chest compressions so that they know how to help when someone suddenly collapses, either at school or in the community.

We are asking the government to change the current education policy, as we think this is the best way to both identify and treat someone who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest. Furthermore, providing our youth and educators with the tools and confidence to intervene in a life-saving scenario is an important investment that will benefit us all.

Our Goals

Make it a mandatory requirement for all youth to graduate knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED.
All teachers, coaches and staff should be taught how to recognize the warning signs of those at risk for sudden cardiac arrest, learn how to perform chest compressions and use an AED.
All schools, arenas and playing fields should have an AED and that staff are trained to use it.

To learn more about how our kids can help save lives, follow this link: https://www.kids-save-lives.eu/