Calgary, 26 April 2024 - To respond to a potential emergency situation involving a sudden cardiac arrest of a client or a member of its staff, the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary conducted its first-ever basic first-aid training on the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
The Philippine Canadian Nurses Association (PCNA), led by its President, Ms. Lucy Reyes, conducted the free AED training, together with fellow resource persons Dr. Jonathan Zantua and Ms. Ivonnie Abes. Both Mrs. Reyes and Ms. Abes are registered nurses in Alberta, while Dr. Zantua is a licensed anesthesiologist in the Philippines.
Dr. Zantua gave a live demonstration on the use of the AED and the proper way of doing chest compressions, which should be immediately applied to a person experiencing a cardiac arrest while the AED is being activated.
Afterward, the PCG’s officers and staff were asked to use the AED and apply chest compression on mannequins.
Ms. Reyes pointed out that the PCG is the only consulate office in Calgary that has an AED on its premises.
“As we are dealing with clients on a daily basis, it is important for us to prepare for an emergency situation that may involve a person’s cardiac arrest,” Consul General Zaldy Patron said.
“Through the AED training given by the PCNA, our personnel are now more confident in responding to this type of situation,” he added.
