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More than half of Protection Island residents know CPR, ready to save lives

Feb 24, 2018 | 6:42 PM

NANAIMO — On idyllic and peaceful Protection Island, more than half of those who live there are ready to jump into action.

In the last six months alone, volunteer firefighters on the Island taught nearly 100 people, ages 5 to 78, how to properly do CPR and use an AED device.

“We know, as of right now, when we include all the first responders on the Island, there’s somewhere around 220 people who actively know CPR,” on-call Lieutenant Jodi Le Masurier told NanaimoNewsNOW.

For an Island with a population of roughly 350, Le Masurier said it’s an impressive accomplishment for the community.

The drive to have everyone on Protection Island know CPR started roughly six months ago and garnered a signifcant amount of support, with courses even taught in peoples’ homes.

“We know that CPR saves lives,” Le Masurier said. “In the time it takes first responders to get to somebody’s side, having a bystander who knows how to give compressions, knows how to turn on an AED and attach those electrodes, that’s the work that saves lives.”

A program to boost the numbers of those who know CPR is currently unfolding across the City.

 

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit