Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, Salt Spring Island, BC

Searching the open compartments of this BC Hyrdo vehicle, we find what we would expect to find…wire, clips, rope, tools, but soon there is something else you will find on all BC Hydro trucks: an Automated External Defibrilator (AED). Including their marine unit!

Last week, Fireman and AED trainer, Al McGraff, came to Salt Spring to run a training session for our Hydro employees.

Using the AED training model, everyone was walked through the step by step instructions. Just purchasing the AED is not enough. Training is important to familiarize the potential users – to take away the first time jidders. BC Hydro recognized this and has contracted Al McGraff to do all the training in BC.

In a separate initiative, the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, along with Fire Cheif, Tom Bremner and Chief of Staff at Lady Minto, Dr. Shane Barclay are in the process of finalizing the locations for approximately 10 other AEDS. Gary and Linda Utter purchased 2 AEDs for their Pharmasave stores and in a most generous and community minded move, donated 5 more to be situated on Salt Spring Island! All Saints by the Sea received enthusiastic support from their congregation to purchase a unit.

MediQuest, the supplier of these AEDs, has a program in place to train one person from each location where an AED is deployed. This training will be coordinated by the Fire Chief.  There will be the opportunity for additional training for anyone interested for $45. You can register by contacting Karen Mouat at the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation @ 250-538-4824 or email her at Karen.Mouat@viha.ca.

And the fun guys back at Hydro? Well, they realized that the life they save may not   be just anybody….it might be their co-worker.