Student saves Stranger with CPR

“When the man first approached me, he was talking about his kids. He was interested in buying a lawnmower for his son, who had just moved into a new home and was starting a family", says 18-year-old student Marcus, from Unionville. Marcus was in his yard selling his parent’s used lawnmower to earn extra money before heading off to university.

But as they finished loading the lawnmower into the trunk of the man’s car, he suddenly collapsed. “He just passed out. He went into cardiac arrest,” says Marcus, who yelled to his family for help and started CPR while his dad called 911.

“I was just thinking, I hope this guy lives, the whole time. I hope I’m doing it right.” 

When EMS arrived, Marcus was still going strong, despite his exhaustion.  “At first they said he might not make it,” says Marcus.

As the paramedics stabilized the man and prepared to transport him to hospital, they told Marcus,

Marcus knows the outcome could have gone either way but trying was all he could do.

Now Marcus encourages other young people to get training, so they are ready if the unthinkable happens. “Put the effort into learning CPR so you can help someone who needs it,” he says. 

The man survived and returned home to his family. 

But things will never be the same for Marcus. His perspective changed, leaning over an unresponsive stranger in his driveway that summer day. “Life can change in an instant,” he says. 

“If it wasn’t for the training, I wouldn’t have been able to do CPR in the first place,” says Marcus. And his mom, Linda, is so proud. “Getting involved is important,” she says. “We have always taught our kids to step up. I get emotional just thinking about it. Now this man can hold his grandchild. Can you imagine never having that opportunity?”

Linda proudly adds that Marcus’ younger brother just learned CPR at Markville Secondary School.

The ACT Foundation established the ACT High School CPR and AED Program at Markville Secondary School in Markham, Ontario in 2012 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.