High School Teachers Save Student’s Life After Sudden Collapse 

It was an ordinary day at Norman Johnston Secondary School when in the gym, a dodgeball game suddenly turned into an emergency situation. 

Seventeen (17) year-old student Tyler was on break from the game and exchanging a few words with his PE teacher, Kim. Less than a minute later, he had collapsed to the floor, face-down, unresponsive and showing seizure-like movements. 

“At first, I thought he was joking, pretending to fall,” Kim recalled. “But then I realized he wasn’t okay.” 

Kim immediately sprang into action. She instructed her students to call 911 and engage their Principal, Charles, as well as fellow teacher Cameron. Another teacher, Mark, happened to be nearby and rushed over when he heard the commotion. 

Working together, they turned Tyler onto his back. His breathing was abnormal, and Mark quickly recognized it as agonal breathing— more like a gasp or cough. He immediately started chest compressions while Charles called 911 and Kim retrieved the school’s AED. Cameron set up the AED while Mark continued compressions. 

When the AED was ready, it analyzed Tyler’s heart and advised a shock. The team delivered two shocks at the AED’s coaching, while continuing compressions until paramedics arrived and took over. EMS worked for another 10 minutes, delivering additional shocks before transferring Tyler to the ambulance.

Thanks to the seamless response from his teachers, Tyler made a full recovery and was able to continue his co-op placement at a local car dealership.  

“I have so much admiration for what they’ve done in those moments. I think in terms of responses, the whole school acted so perfectly that day. So, we’re very lucky,” says Charles, reflecting on his team’s efforts that day. 

Mark adds that his prior CPR training truly made the difference. “I don’t think it’s changed my mind on how important CPR training is, because I’ve always felt that, but I am telling more people now to go get CPR trained. I’ve made that very much part of my mantra in life.” 

The ACT Foundation established the ACT High School CPR and AED Program at Norman Johnston Secondary School in Ottawa in 2009 so teachers could train students, ensuring all students graduate with lifesaving skills.  ACT’s Ontario provincial partner is Hydro One and ACT’s national health partners are AstraZeneca Canada and Amgen Canada.   

The Advanced Coronary Treatment (ACT) Foundation is the award-winning, national, charitable organization establishing free CPR and AED training programs in high schools across Canada. ACT raises funds to donate mannequins and teacher training to schools, and guides schools in program set up and long-term sustainability. More than 6 million youth have been trained in CPR by their teachers to date and many are saving lives!