Not all heroes wear capes! Several off-duty City of Greater Sudbury paramedics are being praised for their quick thinking and life-saving intervention during the Sudbury Rocks Marathon on May 25.
Paramedics Kassandra Tancorre, Vero Hamelin, Shay Bonnett and Katie Nippard were participating in the marathon as a group. Along the route, they noticed a commotion and saw a spectator on the ground.
The paramedics immediately ran to the spectator’s aid and found the individual unresponsive and without a pulse. They immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and Bonnett ran to the nearby YMCA to retrieve an automated external defibrillator (AED).
After CPR, the patient regained a pulse and spontaneous circulation. By this time, others, including two police officers and a sports medicine doctor, had arrived to assist. An on-duty paramedic crew, Bailey Dybajlo and Alex Martel, arrived at the scene shortly after. They assumed patient care and treatment and transported the patient to Health Sciences North. At the time of transport, the patient was fully conscious and alert.
In a news release, the City of Greater Sudbury says it commends these dedicated paramedics for their swift and decisive actions, which undoubtedly made a critical difference in this emergency. Their commitment to public safety, even while off-duty, exemplifies the highest standards of their profession and aligns with the City’s values of providing quality service with a citizen focus and compassion. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the dedication of our paramedics.
Many patients do not have the opportunity to share their appreciation with the people who have saved their life. Due to privacy laws, paramedics’ circle of care officially ends when a patient is transferred to the hospital, meaning they don’t always have the opportunity to learn about their patient’s recovery or hear from them directly. The City and Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services have launched an initiative to help connect members of the public with the paramedics who may have provided them with life-saving care. Residents wishing to express gratitude or share their stories, particularly following a cardiac arrest save, are encouraged to do so through the “Thank a Paramedic” page on the City’s website.
