Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty's quick action when he revived a man who had passed out on an airplane last summer were recognized by St. John Ambulance.
Doherty was presented with the St. John Ambulance Life-saving Award on Wednesday at his office in Ottawa. He was credited for saving the man's life when, in June 2017, Doherty put his first aid skills to use on a flight from Vancouver to Prince George.
It started when Doherty heard a loud bang and turned to the passenger beside him who asked if he knew first aid. He quickly saw that a man had collapsed and had fallen into the front row of the aircraft where another passenger was sitting.
Doherty made his way to the man who was unresponsive and had no detectable heartbeat. With the help from a fellow passenger; he got him into a prone position and began to give the man chest compressions.
This lasted for about a minute before the man came to. He continued to administered care and attention while the flight attendant conveyed updates to the pilot, who turned the plane around and headed back to Vancouver.
It was only just before landing that Doherty realized he knew the man and his family which made this experience all the more emotional. Emergency services arrived and the man was transported to hospital where he made a full recovery.
"I'm honoured to receive this award; however it was the greatest reward for me, to speak to the gentleman's wife a couple days later and to hear he was able to come home to his young family." Doherty added "It drives home the importance of knowing even basic first aid, you never know when or where you may have to apply your training and you just may save a life."
