Frontenac Neighbours Saving Neighbours cardiac arrest response

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We're seeking volunteer responders for a new pilot program for cardiac arrest in Frontenac.

The Neighbours Saving Neighbours (NSN) volunteer responder program for cardiac arrest aims to increase survival rates for those who suffer cardiac arrest in our communities.

About 35,000 people across the country experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year. Paramedics responded to 276 cases across Frontenac County and Kingston in 2020. The probability of survival for those patients decreases by as much as 10 percent per minute before emergency treatment begins. Fewer than 12 percent survive. But research shows that a patient who is treated by a properly trained and equipped bystander in those crucial minutes before paramedics arrive may be as much as three times as likely to survive cardiac arrest.

That’s where you come in. We’re seeking volunteer responders from across Frontenac to participate in a pilot program and research study about the best ways to increase survival rates for victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

As a volunteer, you’ll be assigned to a team of other volunteers based on geographic location. You’ll be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the safe and proper use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED).

Once trained, your group will be equipped with AEDs and you may be called upon by 911 communications professionals to attend possible cardiac arrest emergencies. Your role will be to assess the scene, administer CPR and use and AED if needed, and to assist paramedics when they arrive on scene.

This is all about learning new and better ways to save lives when seconds count.

This pilot program is conducted under the leadership of Dr. Steven Brooks and his research team at Queen’s University. Interested program volunteers will be asked to participate in the research component in which Dr. Brooks and his team will study the feasibility and effectiveness of programs like this one in rural communities like ours.

Please take some time to learn about the NsN program with the resources on this page. If you’re interested and think you could make a contribution to this important work, please complete the application form by clicking HERE.



™NEIGHBOURS SAVING NEIGHBOURS is a trademark of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada used under license.

We're seeking volunteer responders for a new pilot program for cardiac arrest in Frontenac.

The Neighbours Saving Neighbours (NSN) volunteer responder program for cardiac arrest aims to increase survival rates for those who suffer cardiac arrest in our communities.

About 35,000 people across the country experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year. Paramedics responded to 276 cases across Frontenac County and Kingston in 2020. The probability of survival for those patients decreases by as much as 10 percent per minute before emergency treatment begins. Fewer than 12 percent survive. But research shows that a patient who is treated by a properly trained and equipped bystander in those crucial minutes before paramedics arrive may be as much as three times as likely to survive cardiac arrest.

That’s where you come in. We’re seeking volunteer responders from across Frontenac to participate in a pilot program and research study about the best ways to increase survival rates for victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

As a volunteer, you’ll be assigned to a team of other volunteers based on geographic location. You’ll be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the safe and proper use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED).

Once trained, your group will be equipped with AEDs and you may be called upon by 911 communications professionals to attend possible cardiac arrest emergencies. Your role will be to assess the scene, administer CPR and use and AED if needed, and to assist paramedics when they arrive on scene.

This is all about learning new and better ways to save lives when seconds count.

This pilot program is conducted under the leadership of Dr. Steven Brooks and his research team at Queen’s University. Interested program volunteers will be asked to participate in the research component in which Dr. Brooks and his team will study the feasibility and effectiveness of programs like this one in rural communities like ours.

Please take some time to learn about the NsN program with the resources on this page. If you’re interested and think you could make a contribution to this important work, please complete the application form by clicking HERE.



™NEIGHBOURS SAVING NEIGHBOURS is a trademark of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada used under license.

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  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    I live technically within city limits although north of hwy 401. I frequent south Frontenac for social and recreational activities, etc. Am I eligible for the program.

    Daniel asked 12 months ago

    Hi Daniel. Yes, the program is open those who live north of 401 but not quite inside South Frontenac. The hope is for volunteer responders to serve rural areas.

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    I an interested in this program. I do however have a couple of questions. 1) will the CPR taught be chest compression CPR only? I have concerns about administering artificial respiration. 2) What about insurance coverage? Is there an indemnification clause to the volunteers?

    Will asked about 1 year ago

    Excellent questions.

    1) While we will be teaching the full Heart & Stroke Heatsaver curriculum, which includes ventilations and chest compressions, volunteers will only be expected to perform hands only CPR.

    2) As a Frontenac Paramedics Community volunteer you are covered under the County of Frontenac insurance umbrella. Where volunteers have no legal duty to respond, it is likely volunteers would still be covered under Good Samaritan Laws. That being said, there has never been legal action brought against this type of volunteer. 

    I hope that clears it up,

    Jason Kervin

    Community Paramedicine/Education Coordinator

    Frontenac Paramedics

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    Hi , I live in sharbot lake and am an active in physical recreation locally as a senior, a need i have identified that seems parallel to this project which i applaud you on incidentally, is the accessibilty/availability and awareness of AED devices and usage in this community especially in proximity to where people are engaging in physical activity- the recreation facilities -tennis & pickleball courts(many at risk seniors), high school in evenings- seniors using for badminton/pickleball in winter, new ice pad, baseball field, soccer field - often in off hours when municipal building is closed. Will your group be addressing this issue? As u know every minute counts when it comes to cardiac arrest. As i understand it the only AED device in town is in olden hall and fire hall (5 minutes to town), the former is not accessible 7 days a week or in the off hours. To me it makes sense to have a few devices located in locked casses with combination locks with simple combinations i.e. 0911 and train members in these various physical activity user groups as an adjunct to your volunteer program. With only 4-6 minutes before the risk of irreversible brain damage we need perhaps a multi-prong strategy to this issue. I am a retired recreation director(initial part of my career) , former cpr instructor and a retired health/disability management consultant.

    Dan Goodchild asked about 1 year ago

    Grateful for your comments, Dan. Excellent idea. Thank you! Hope you'll sign up to volunteer and pass the word to others who might, too. 

Page last updated: 26 Mar 2024, 07:43 AM