Paramedics applaud bystanders who began CPR and led medics to patient in cardiac arrest during hailstorm at Bruce Pit
Ottawa paramedics gave kudos to the bystanders who found a man in cardiac arrest at Bruce Pit on Wednesday, started cardiopulmonary resuscitation and met paramedics at the trailhead to lead them to the patient, who was revived during a hailstorm.

The Ottawa Paramedic Service received the call at 5:07 p.m.

On arrival, paramedics started advanced life support, including defibrillation, and were able to resuscitate the man. He was taken to hospital in critical condition.

“Managing complex calls in these conditions is very challenging,” said Marc-Antoine Deschamps, superintendent of public information for the paramedic service.

With the help of firefighters, paramedics were able to bring the ambulance directly onto the trail and to the patient.

“Having someone meeting us at the trailhead significantly reduces the time it takes us to get to the patient,” he said.

“In larger trail systems, the best access is not always the one where the walkers came in. Knowing your position at all time greatly facilitates our response.”