Moments after a man collapsed while on a treadmill in a fitness centre at Vernon's Predator Ridge, it became clear to four other gym-goers that a serious medical emergency was unfolding before their eyes.
And two years after Patty and Ross Kenny, Tracey Schumacher and Robyn Sherwood successfully resuscitated the man, they were awarded the Vital Link Award in Vernon for helping to save a life.
Sherwood said the first thing that went through her mind when she saw the man go down on April 16, 2023, was "immediate concern" for him.
"We thought maybe that he fell because he was running on the treadmill, but we realized that there was something much bigger going on and we didn't know what it was," Sherwood said.
The man had suffered sudden cardiac arrest, and through a haze of momentary confusion, the four sprung into action. Sherwood called 911 while Patty and Schumacher rushed to the man's aid and began CPR. Ross went to retrieve a nearby automated external defibrillator (AED).
After CPR and the use of the AED, the man started breathing again. Paramedics later arrived and provided further emergency care before transporting him to hospital.
Thanks to the bystanders' actions, the patient made a full recovery.
Schumacher said it was apparent something needed to be done once they realized the man had stopped breathing,
Fortunately, Schumacher and Patty are both dentists who have worked alongside each other for 30 years, and Patty said both of them have done first aid training every year they've been dentists together.
"Working with the mannequins did translate to the real life where you automatically are kind of going through the steps A, B and C," Patty said, adding since the incident, she's always looking for the location of an AED whenever she goes into public spaces.
All four said they recommend getting first aid training to prepare for an emergency.
Ross was on the treadmill beside the one the man was running on when he collapsed. He quickly turned off the treadmill before they all retrieved the man, who was wedged between two machines.
"As he slipped, his head actually hit the arm of my treadmill and I thought, 'oh boy,'" he said.
Braden Harris and Jack Cubbon were the paramedics who attended the scene. Harris presented the Vital Link awards to the four gym-goers at the Vernon BC Ambulance station Friday, May 16.
The award goes to individuals whose skilful actions help save someone who suffers cardiac arrest.
"This case demonstrates why knowledge of CPR is important. Over 60,000 Canadians suffer out of hospital from sudden cardiac arrest each year. When sudden cardiac arrest strikes, bystanders initiating CPR and/or the use of AEDs can increase the chance of survival by up to 50 per cent," Harris said.
"Thanks to the swift coordination and selfless actions of Patty, Tracey, Ross and Robyn, a life was saved that day. Their calm under pressure and willingness to step in during a critical moment were nothing short of extraordinary."
