PulsePoint partners train 80+ at free CPR event

Yesterday, 87 community members learned potentially life-saving skills at CPR clinics presented by the Oshawa PulsePoint partners. Participants gained hands-on CPR experience and learned how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator) from certified instructors.

The trainings were designed to empower more community members to feel comfortable lending a hand in an emergency situation and encourage them to download the free PulsePoint apps to put their training to use. There are two PulsePoint apps available for download within Oshawa and its dispatch area (which also includes Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge):

1. PulsePoint Respond, which advises when someone in a nearby public place requires CPR and provides information on where to find the closest public AED; and,
2. PulsePoint AED, which displays a region-wide registry of AEDs and co-located resources such as bleeding control kits, naloxone and epinephrine.

As of May 2023, more than 1,400 community members have downloaded the PulsePoint app in Oshawa Fire’s dispatch area. The apps are available for download on iTunes and Google Play.

Oshawa PulsePoint partners include the City of Oshawa, Durham College, Ontario Tech University, Lakeridge Health and the Durham Region Critical Incident Stress Support Team. The partners thank GM Canada and OnStar for generously sponsoring PulsePoint’s implementation.

For more information on PulsePoint in Oshawa, visit Oshawa.ca/PulsePoint. For details on the PulsePoint program, visit pulsepoint.org.

For City of Oshawa updates, visit Oshawa.ca/NewsCentre to follow us on social media, subscribe to news and alerts, and have your say on Connect Oshawa.

Quotes

“The health and well-being of the Oshawa community is always our top priority, and after today’s trainings I hope the participants will feel comfortable downloading PulsePoint and lending a hand in an emergency situation,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “Thank you to the Oshawa PulsePoint partners, GM Canada and OnStar for providing this opportunity; seconds count in the event of cardiac arrest and the PulsePoint Respond app is helping save lives.”

“At Durham College, we care about the health and well-being of our campus and broader community and we are committed to providing teaching and learning opportunities that support that,” said Don Lovisa, President, Durham College. “As a leader in technology-enhanced solutions, we are proud to join the PulsePoint partners on this initiative to offer life-saving CPR technology.”

“The PulsePoint initiative demonstrates the positive effect that collaborations between post-secondary institutions, government and community bring to our society. This app will help save lives, and the success of this program aligns with Ontario Tech’s mission to improve the lives of others through the ethical application of technology,” said Dr. Steven Murphy, President and Vice-Chancellor of Ontario Tech University.

“I’m so proud of our collective efforts,” said Dr. Randy Wax, Chief of Staff and Critical Care Physician, Lakeridge Health. “Today’s event speaks to the power of partnerships. Collaborating to empower people with education and training that can potentially save lives impacts the health of the community overall.”

“There is power in our Community! By assisting First Responders, trained volunteers can help make the difference when seconds count and help save more lives from sudden cardiac arrest,” said Sandra Mackey, Chair of Durham Region Critical Incident Stress Support Team.

“We are proud to support PulsePoint’s purpose to create a heart safe community and a community that rallies together to help a neighbour in need of lifesaving support,” said James Nava, Director of OnStar and CX Canada. “For over 25 years, we have been committed to the safety and security of our communities and PulsePoint aligns with this mission.”