Essex-Windsor EMS offering CPR and AED education during Heart Health Month

Paramedics (from left) Dave Thibodeau, Mark Evon and Stephanie Simetic were helping to offer free AED courses.

February is Heart Health Month, and Windsor-Essex EMS is encouraging residents to learn how to save a life by offering free CPR and defibrillator education sessions across the region.

Officials say early intervention during a cardiac arrest dramatically increases the chances of survival, and the first few minutes are critical.

“If you get a defibrillator on someone’s chest within the first sixty seconds of a cardiac event, their chances of survival increase by 90 per cent,” said EMS paramedic Dave Thibodeau. “After that, they lose about 10 per cent for every minute that passes.”

Ambulances serving rural parts of the county typically arrive within eight to 12 minutes. By that time, survival chances have dropped significantly.

Even performing CPR without a defibrillator can make a major difference. If CPR is started within the first minute, survival chances can increase by 70 per cent, but that benefit decreases by 10 per cent with every passing minute. By the seven-minute mark without intervention, the likelihood of recovery is extremely low.

Despite the urgency, public defibrillators, also known as automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are rarely used.

“There are more than 2,000 defibrillators all over Windsor and Essex County, and we want people to start using them before we arrive,” Thibodeau said. “So, we are offering these free sessions throughout the month of February.”

In 2024, Windsor-Essex EMS responded to 831 cardiac arrests. Only five public defibrillators were used, less than one per cent of cases. Of those five instances, three people survived and were discharged from hospital.

Preliminary data shows 12 AEDs were used in 2025, though complete statistics are not yet available.

Thibodeau said there are three common reasons people hesitate to use an AED: they believe certification is required, they fear being sued, or they worry about accidentally harming someone. He says none of those concerns are valid.

“The units are very straightforward to use, and with the changes over the past few years they are even simpler to use now,” he said. “You do not need certification or formal training. In Ontario and in Canada, you can’t be sued for trying to help. And the defibrillators read the heart’s rhythm and will only deliver a shock if absolutely necessary.”

The free three-hour education sessions include videos, scenario-based learning, and hands-on training with mannequins and AED devices. The sessions are open to anyone, including church groups, schools, workplaces, and neighbourhood organizations.

“This education is valuable and available to everyone, and it could make the difference between life and death,” Thibodeau said.

For those interested in purchasing a defibrillator, EMS staff are available to help groups select an appropriate unit, direct them to vendors, and provide education at no cost.

Residents are also encouraged to download the PulsePoint app, which identifies the exact location and availability of the nearest AED in an emergency. 

Outdoor units are housed in temperature-controlled cases that alert the owner when opened and removed. Even when retrieving an AED, residents must call 911 to report their location and receive further instructions.

Training was held in Amherstburg Feb. 17, but there are further opportunities this week.

Upcoming sessions include:

Tecumseh: February 19 at 9 a.m. (check the Town’s of Tecumseh’s website for details and registration)

Leamington: February 26 at 9 a.m. at the Nature Fresh Recreation Centre (call 519-322-2337 to register)

EMS officials hope increased awareness and training will empower more residents to act quickly when every second counts.

For more AED information, or to book your own session, please contact defib@countyofessex.ca.

Essex-Windsor EMS offering CPR and AED education during Heart Health Month

By Donna Tuckwell