Bystanders, arena staff credited with saving hockey player

Bystanders save hockey player who collapsed 44-year-old man rescued after suffering heart attack at Bell Sensplex, CTV's Megan Shaw explains.

Ottawa Paramedics say a 44-year-old man is alive because of the quick and heroic actions by a group of bystanders.

The man was playing hockey at the Bell Sensplex Wednesday night when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest shortly after 7 p.m. Witnesses say he collapsed on the ice while skating.

Jonathan Reuther, a facility supervisor at the rink, says he joined two men who rushed over to assist. Reuther says other staff members were grabbing equipment and awaiting emergency crews.

Reuther says one man delivered a shock to the victim using a defibrillator, before the second man performed CPR.

“Thank god he took a breath and came back to us,” Reuther said.

The man was alert and responsive when paramedics arrived. Reuther says he was joking around and in good spirits.

Paramedics say this kind of incident shows why having a defibrillator nearby is so critical.

In Ottawa, at least 125 people have been saved using the Public Access Defibrillator Program, according to Steven Leu, the Supt. of Operations with paramedics.

Leu encourages all businesses and organizations to not only have a defibrillator on site, but to register them with paramedics.

“That way the dispatcher can tell the caller where the closest defibrillator to them is.”

Paramedics say without these men jumping into action, the victim may not have survived.

The Ottawa Paramedic Service oversees more than 760 Automated External Defibrillators located within the City of Ottawa, which includes all police and fire vehicles and most recreational facilities.