Cardiac Arrest Victim Saved by CPR and Advanced Emergency Care

Quick thinking, immediate CPR, and coordinated emergency medical care helped save the life of a 55-year-old physician whose heart suddenly stopped beating at home.

Chris Dawkins, a physician from British Columbia, was considered clinically dead for nearly an hour after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. Today, he is alive, back at work, and deeply thankful to the people whose fast actions gave him a second chance at life.

Cardiac Arrest at Home

The incident occurred on the evening of February 5, shortly after Dawkins finished a workout on his rowing machine. Moments later, he collapsed.

Dawkins does not remember the cardiac arrest itself.

“Apparently I just sat on the bed, lost my colour, and started to slump,” he said.

Fortunately, his wife Fran witnessed the collapse and immediately called 911. On the line was emergency dispatcher Anne-Marie Forrest, who calmly coached Fran through performing CPR until paramedics arrived.

“As a call taker, you can only hope the caller follows your instructions,” Forrest explained. “His wife did an amazing job.”

Those first minutes were critical. By starting CPR right away, Fran helped maintain blood flow to her husband’s brain and vital organs.

When Standard Treatment Was Not Enough

When first responders reached the home, they followed all recommended cardiac arrest protocols. CPR, defibrillation, and advanced medications were administered, but Dawkins did not respond.

Under normal medical guidelines, he would have been declared dead.

Instead, a specialized advanced life support (ALS) paramedic team was dispatched. These paramedics are trained to handle complex cardiac arrest cases and determined that Dawkins qualified for a newer, advanced treatment protocol.

They connected him to a LUCAS mechanical CPR device, which provides continuous chest compressions without interruption, and rushed him to St. Paul’s Hospital.

Paramedics later explained that Dawkins qualified for this intervention largely because CPR had been started immediately by his wife, keeping blood flowing during the most critical moments.

A Rare and Successful Outcome

At the hospital, more than 15 healthcare professionals—including emergency physicians, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, nurses, and respiratory therapists—worked together to save Dawkins’ life.

Advanced life-support machines temporarily took over the function of his heart and lungs while doctors identified and removed the blockage that caused the cardiac arrest.

“It’s very tough to get a patient from outside the hospital to us and achieve a successful outcome like this,” said cardiologist Dr. Jamil Bashir.
“Every part of the response had to be done exactly right.”

Because of the rapid CPR, advanced paramedic care, and hospital teamwork, Dawkins survived with minimal long-term effects.

The Importance of Timely CPR

This story highlights why cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the most important life-saving skills anyone can learn.

Early CPR:

Maintains blood flow to the brain
Reduces the risk of brain damage
Significantly improves survival chances

Without immediate CPR, the outcome could have been very different.

Winnipeg First Aid: Learn CPR, Save Lives

Cardiac emergencies can happen anywhere—at home, at work, or in public spaces. Knowing how to respond during those first few minutes can make a life saving difference.

If you want to be prepared to act in an emergency, consider enrolling in a CPR and AED training course through Winnipeg First Aid. These courses provide hands-on instruction in high-quality CPR and AED use, giving everyday people the confidence to respond when it matters most.

Learn More

This powerful story, including firsthand accounts from dispatchers, paramedics, and medical staff, was originally reported by CTV News Vancouver.

👉 Read the original article here:
Cardiac Arrest Victim Saved by CPR and Advanced Emergency Care

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About The Author

Mark Kascha

Certified First Aid Instructor Trainer with 30+ years of real-world experience, including lifeguarding, workplace emergency response, and first aid program development across Canada. Has worked with WorkSafeBC, WSIB, and Manitoba Health.

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Last reviewed: March 2026

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