Quick-Thinking Car Dealership Staff Save Co-Worker with AED

A 65-year-old employee at a Saskatoon car dealership is alive today thanks to the quick-thinking actions of his co-workers and immediate access to an automated external defibrillator (AED). This real-life emergency highlights how CPR knowledge and AED availability can make the difference between life and death.

Ted Brown, an employee at Wheaton GMC Buick Cadillac, went into sudden cardiac arrest at work on March 31. His co-workers immediately called 911 and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while others retrieved the dealership’s AED.

Although none of the employees had ever used a defibrillator in a real emergency, they relied on the AED’s clear voice prompts and applied the pads without hesitation.

“I had no experience with a defibrillator and there was another employee here that did, but she’d never used it,” said Myron Knihnitski. “I said, ‘We’ve nothing to lose—let’s put the pads down and start.’”

The AED was successfully used before paramedics arrived.Ted was rushed to hospital in serious condition but has since recovered and returned to his normal life.

A Family’s Gratitude and a Powerful Message

Ted’s wife, Brenda Brown, credits her husband’s survival to the decisive actions of his co-workers.

“I’m just so thankful,” she said. “If you don’t have an AED—get one. If you do have one, know where it is and know how to use it.”

Her message reinforces why CPR and AED training is essential in every workplace and public setting.

For those interested in learning these lifesaving skills, Winnipeg First Aid offers hands-on CPR and AED training courses designed to prepare everyday people for real emergencies like this one.

AED Programs Are Saving Lives

This incident is part of a growing trend of lives being saved through public access defibrillation. MD Ambulance credits the Saskatoon Heart Safe Program with helping save multiple people in recent months, including another man who survived cardiac arrest during a hockey game at Schroh Arena.

These stories clearly demonstrate that early CPR combined with AED use significantly improves survival rates.

To read the full details of this incident, you can view the original report from CBC News here: 👉 Quick-thinking car dealership staff save co-worker with AED

Learn More: CPR and AED Training in Winnipeg

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere—at work, during sports, or in public places. Being prepared with the right training can help you act quickly and confidently when every second matters.

Winnipeg First Aid offers a range of certified courses designed to teach practical, hands-on skills for real-life emergencies like the one described in this story.

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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