May 26, 2015                                   

 

Toronto Paramedic Services demonstrated CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to over 60 Grade 7 and 8 students at Edgewood Public School in Scarborough this morning.

 

The educational event was a community activity scheduled as part of Paramedic Services Week in Toronto. Paramedic Services Week is held each year at the end of May to showcase the services that both emergency medical dispatchers and paramedics provide to the community.

 

"It doesn't matter what grade you are in, anyone given the opportunity and the desire, can help a paramedic to save a life by coming to the assistance of someone in need,"  said Commander Gayle Pollock. "If you see someone unconscious and not breathing, call 911 for the paramedics, then with the help of the emergency medical dispatcher on the phone start CPR and call for an AED, and if needed, a life-saving shock can be given even before the paramedics arrive."

 

"Educating our students in life-saving skills like how to perform CPR and use an AED is important to us," said Principal Carol Cabral. "If one of our students was able to help even one person over their lifetime as a result of learning this skill today, that would be amazing."

 

The Toronto Paramedic Services Safe City program places over 1,500 AEDs in public places such as TTC subway stations, community rinks and swimming pools. Each year, at least one person a month is saved by a bystander who steps in to perform CPR or administer a life-saving shock from an AED before paramedics arrive.

 

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1EvnUUH

 

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

 

- 30 -

 

Media contact: Kim McKinnon, Toronto Paramedic Services, 416-392-2255, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.