Health Minister Terry Lake issued the following statement during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) awareness month:

“As November and CPR awareness month comes to a close, it is a good reminder of the importance of learning this lifesaving skill. With every minute that passes without treatment in a cardiac situation, the patient’s survival rate decreases by 10%. CPR is easy to learn and is something people of all ages and walks of life can do to save a sudden cardiac arrest victim’s life.

“I know this first hand. During a soccer game several years ago, a friend playing on another team experienced a sudden cardiac arrest. I, along with several others, came to his aid and started CPR while paramedics and first responders were en route.

“Statistics show that each year in B.C. over 2,000 British Columbians die from sudden cardiac arrest, and it remains one of the leading causes of death among adults in the province, but for me, it was the experience of applying CPR and then seeing this person out of hospital and recovering shortly thereafter, that truly conveyed to me the importance of CPR.

“When CPR and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are used together in the first few minutes during a cardiac arrest, survival rates increase up to 75%. AEDs are portable, easy-to-use devices that read the heart’s rhythm and only deliver a shock if needed.

“Since 2013, the provincial government has invested $2 million in the BC Public Access to Defibrillators (PAD) Program, which has been matched by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The BC PAD Program will ensure 750 community AEDs are installed in public venues, such as recreation centres, arenas and parks, throughout British Columbia, by 2017.

“Additionally, BC Emergency Health Services today launched a registry of public AEDs within B.C. in order to make these lifesaving tools more accessible during a sudden cardiac arrest.

“Now, businesses and organizations that have a publicly accessible AED can register their unit and contribute to the Province’s efforts to reduce mortality rates from sudden cardiac arrest. The BC AED registry means that during a sudden cardiac arrest, a caller can be directed to the closest public AED, provided with instructions how to use it, while another bystander performs CPR as paramedics are on their way to the patient.

“Together, the BC AED Registry, the BC PAD program and bystanders who learn CPR are strengthening the chain of survival for sudden cardiac arrest patients, which is to call 911, do CPR, and use an AED. This can mean more lives are saved and we are improving the health and safety of communities throughout the province.

“I encourage all British Columbians to learn CPR - for their families, friends, team mates, co-workers or a stranger who is suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. Each of us can have the ability to save a life in our hands.”

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)