Thursday, Jan. 25, councillors took part in a CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training session during Regional Council. The training session was delivered by Peel Regional Paramedic Services in anticipation of Heart Month in February.
1800 people experience cardiac arrest in Peel Region each year. The chance of survival increases significantly if the person receives bystander CPR within 60 seconds of collapsing.
So far this month, two people in Peel Region have received a second chance at life because of bystander CPR, underscoring the importance of everyone learning this life-saving skill.
To further promote bystander CPR, Peel Regional Paramedic Services has placed hundreds of AEDs in public places, together with the GTAA, Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga. It is also participating in a Volunteer Community Responder pilot project with Sunnybrook Hospital to see if crowdsourcing CPR can save more lives in Peel. With more than 200 citizen volunteers, the pilot project has helped 20 people receive life-saving care.
For more information about Peel Regional Paramedic Services’ PAD program, visit https://peelregion.ca/paramedics/defibrillator-program/create/
For more information about the Volunteer Community Responder Pilot Project, visit https://www.peelregion.ca/paramedics/programs/volunteer-community-responder.asp