Toronto Maple Leafs: How to Save a Life at the Hockey Arena

Some things are more important than the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jay Bouwmeester’s scary episode reminded the hockey universe of the value of AEDs.

There can be a lot to learn from the terrifying incident at the rink on Tuesday night. Everyone including the Toronto Maple Leafs were concerned for the well being of St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.

Bouwmeester collapsed during the first period of the game between the Blues and Anaheim Ducks. He was on the Blues bench when he suffered a cardiac episode and became unresponsive. Luckily, there was an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on hand. It may have saved his life, which is why it’s important that every hockey rink worldwide has an AED in case of an emergency.

An AED is a device that delivers an electronic shock to a heart that isn’t beating regularly. The pulse travels through the chest walls and restarts the organ in an attempt to take it from an abnormal to a normal rhythm.

There are many possible reasons that an AED may be required. The genius of the device is that it will not shock a heart that doesn’t need it. The electric charge is only released for two life-threatening heart rhythms. When the defibrillator was used on Bouwmeester, it revived him. He was then rushed to a hospital in Anaheim.

Abnormal Heart Rhythms

There are two types of abnormal heart rhythms. They are Ventricular Fibrillation (VF) and Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia (Pulseless VT).

VF is what’s seen most often with cardiac arrest. In this state, the heart will beat rapidly and erratically. It isn’t pumping blood in this state, but instead, the ventricles will uselessly quiver. This has been described as appearing to look like a bowl of Jell-O.

Pulseless VT is named because it happens in a person with no pulse. The heart, in this case, is beating far too quickly, at a rate that is usually above 180 beats per minute. Because of the accelerated speed, it interferes with the heart’s pumping action.

How to Use an AED

The best part about AEDs is that they don’t require the user to know anything about heart rhythms. The device will give verbal prompts, speaking to the user and provide them with step-by-step instructions. The rescuer needs to only listen and follow along to potentially save a life. This is why it is critical that every arena (and all public spaces for that matter) be outfitted with at least one AED.

The City of Toronto made an investment beginning in 1998 to make themselves a “Cardiac Safe City“. The purpose was to make Torontonians aware of how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use AEDs.

The Cardiac Safe City initiative was just the start of the city’s equipping and disbursement of AEDs for public spaces. There are now more than 1500 of them found throughout Toronto. This means that citizens will find them at places like rinks, community centers, and subway stations.

City officials recognized how important it is to know the steps of how to use an AED. It is also recommended that a call to emergency services at 9-1-1 be made immediately.

Bouwmeester isn’t the first to be saved thanks to the use of a defibrillator and he won’t be the last. In 2014 a 13-year-old AAA hockey player had his heart stop seconds after blocking a shot. Luckily, thanks to the AED found at Herbert H. Carnegie Centennial Centre in North York, his life was saved.

Also a defenseman, that player returned to play the game he loves and is currently a member of the Markham Majors AAA Midget Team. Thanks to these incredible devices, there are many stories just like this one.

While it’s always fun to talk about the latest Maple Leafs rumours, it’s important to be aware of what to do if ever faced with someone in need of emergency medical attention. Hopefully, Bouwmeester is able to make a speedy recovery and return to his regular routines soon.