Training saves lives at Silver Star

Contributed -Dec 31, 2009 / 10:00 am CASTANET:
Two separate successful resuscitations of cardiac arrests in a two-hour span at Silver Star reaffirmed the mountain's reputation as being one of the safest resorts in Canada. Silver Star Patrol, working in tandem with the Silver Star Fire Department and a volunteer ski doctor, recently responded to a call at a resort hotel where a patron was feeling light headed and experiencing shortness of breath. When patrol arrived, the patron went into cardiac arrest. "When a situation like this occurs, our response time is critical," says Jeremy Griffiths, patrol and safety manager for Silver Star Mountain Resort. "You can have all the equipment in the world, but getting to a patient in time is a key factor."

Two hours later, a 911 call came through the Silver Star Fire Department — this time from the Creekside condos. Patrol, along with the fire department, was on the scene in about five minutes. The two teams immediately started CPR and prepared one of the mountain's two automated external defibrillators. The team delivered one shock to the patient and continued CPR. A second shock was eventually administered, which successfully brought him back into a sustainable cardiac rhythm. Griffiths says Silver Star has added a new cardiac monitor, non-evasive blood pressure monitor, and an oxygen level monitor. He says they intensified team members training sessions in order to ensure everyone is prepared and calm when a situation arises. In addition, the resort worked with the Canadian Ski Patrol System to implement their extended protocols, a series of advanced training procedures beyond normal first-aid training.