Quick-thinking car dealership staff save co-worker with AED

A 65-year-old employee at a Saskatoon car dealership is alive today because of quick-thinking co-workers and access to an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED.  

Ted Brown, a staff member at Wheaton GMC Buick Cadillac, went into cardiac arrest at work on March 31. The man's co-workers immediately started CPR and called 911 

Employees grabbed the company's AED and applied it to their co-worker. 

"I had no experience with a defibrillator and there was another employee here that did, but she's never used it, but I said, 'Well, we've nothing to lose let's put the pads down and start,'" said Myron Knihnitski, one of the employees who acted quickly. 

The man was rushed to hospital in serious condition and has since recovered. 

Ted's wife, Brenda, said her husband is alive thanks to his co-workers efforts. 

"I'm just so thankful," she said. "I'm thankful to the gentleman at Wheaton's. I'm thankful to Wheaton's and to anyone who doesn't have [an AED], get one. If you do have one, know where it is, know where to use it."

Five people saved this month

MD Ambulance credits one of Saskatoon Heart Safe Program sites as helping save another life. The program is a community based initiative aimed at providing access to defibrillation in case of  sudden cardiac arrest. 

Another Saskatoon man was treated with an AED yesterday after suffering a cardiac arrest during a hockey game at Schroh Arena. MD Ambulance said five people have been saved in the past six months, and in total, 16 people are alive today because a Saskatoon business bought an AED.