How to save a life in four minutes

Canadian Red Cross First Aid Instructor, Ashley Anderson with
Rescuer Award recipient James Boshart

Last August, James Boshart saved a life. It happened unexpectedly while he was out at a garage sale in Clinton, Ontario with his brother. One minute he was focused on finding a diamond in the rough, the next he was performing CPR.

It all started after he noticed a man sitting lifelessly on a chair. Almost simultaneously, James heard another garage sale attendee call out for help. Having just completed a first aid course, he knew exactly what to do and sprung into action. With the help of some other people, James lowered the unconscious man to the ground and felt for a pulse. He found nothing.

As his training dictated, James continued to speak to the unconscious man, telling him what he was doing as he began CPR. Someone from the garage sale called 911 while James continued chest compressions. “If I stopped the compressions the man would turn purple almost instantly,” said James.

Within minutes an ambulance arrived. “Four minutes or so seemed to last forever, then the paramedics arrived and I assisted them with preparing him for the defibrillator and told them what I had done and what I knew.”

Had it not been for James’ quick thinking and first aid training, the man might not have survived. It had been less than a month since James had received his first aid certification and because of his actions he has received a Rescuer Award from Canadian Red Cross.
 
If you were there at the garage sale, would you have known what to do? Make sure you know first aid and CPR, enroll in a course.