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Port Alberni resident receives BC Ambulance award

The Vital Link Award is awarded when a member of the public administers CPR on a patient
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Elena Rardon photo Melinda Geddes, right, is congratulated by daughter Danika Geddes after receiving the Vital Link Award at the BC Ambulance Station on Tuesday, April 4.

Melinda Geddes wasn’t expecting to be the recipient of an award when she arrived at the BC Ambulance Station on Tuesday since her partner, Rick Geddes, is a paramedic.

“I was under the impression that [Rick] was getting an award for a call he had done,” she said.

To her surprise, she was presented with the Vital Link Award, which is BC Ambulance’s highest civilian honour. It is awarded when a member of the public successfully administers CPR on a patient prior to the ambulance arriving on scene.

Three years ago, Melinda was attending a funeral at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 293 when a gentleman collapsed. She and another civilian, Anne Marie Savard, administered CPR until the man was transported to a hospital. The man went on to live for three more years.

“I feel like anybody would have done it,” said Melinda, after receiving her award. “I was just in the right place at the right time.”

BC Ambulance director Lance Stephenson said, “This goes to show that the training that is given to the general public really does save lives.”

elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com

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Melinda and Rick Geddes stand with Melinda’s Vital Link Award at the BC Ambulance Station on Tuesday, April 4. Elena Rardon photo


Elena Rardon

About the Author: Elena Rardon

I have worked with the Alberni Valley News since 2016.
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