Woman Advocates First Aid Training and Easy Access to AEDs After Mother’s Death

Willner ran to the customer service desk and asked if the store had an automated external defibrillator available.

“They looked at me, confused,” she recalled.

Store staff paged management, but no one arrived. Willner said she waited approximately three minutes. During that time, her mother went into cardiac arrest.

When paramedics arrived, they immediately began CPR and provided advanced life-saving care. Despite their efforts, her mother could not be revived.

Importance of AED Training and Awareness

Willner and her family have said they are not seeking compensation or action against the store. Instead, they hope their experience will raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies.

“I just really don’t want another family to go through what we did,” Willner said.

She explained that if she had been told right away that no AED was available in the store, she would have tried to find one in a nearby business.

Prompt CPR and early use of an AED are critical during cardiac arrest. Every minute without intervention significantly reduces survival chances. Immediate action by bystanders can make the difference between life and death.

Gaps in AED Access in Alberta

Currently, Alberta does not require most businesses or public spaces to have AEDs. According to a government spokesperson, Alberta Occupational Health and Safety has no regulations mandating AED placement. If businesses choose to install an AED, it must be included in their first aid and emergency response plans.

Willner believes more needs to be done.

“I’d like visible AEDs in stores,” she said. “I’d like trained staff to know where they are — all staff, not just management. I would like more first aid training.”

“It’s been very hard on our family,” she added. “Everything happened so fast. Maybe if an AED had been available, it could have helped.”

Why First Aid and CPR Training Matters

Medical emergencies can happen anywhere, often without warning. Learning first aid, CPR, and AED use gives everyday people the skills and confidence to respond until professional help arrives.

Comprehensive programs such as Standard First Aid and CPR courses offered by Winnipeg First Aid help participants learn how to recognize cardiac arrest, perform high-quality CPR, and safely use an automated external defibrillator in real-life emergencies.

Learn More About First Aid, CPR, and AED Use

Being prepared for emergencies can make a life-saving difference. To learn more about CPR, first aid, and AEDs, visit these trusted resources:

• WebMD – First Aid Overview
  https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/default.htm

• Healthline – CPR and First Aid Guide
  https://www.healthline.com/health/first-aid/cpr

• Wikipedia – Automated External Defibrillator
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_external_defibrillator

A Family’s Hope for Change

Willner’s mother had been battling cancer but had no known heart conditions aside from high blood pressure.

“She loved her family,” Willner said. “She brought everyone together. She made sure we stayed connected.”

In the wake of her loss, Willner hopes increased awareness, better training, and wider access to AEDs will help prevent similar tragedies.

“Maybe it could have helped,” she said. “It all happened so fast.”