CO alarm alerts paramedics to danger as they help London woman
A $175 device has again made a difference for London paramedics and perhaps a patient.
On Thursday, an ambulance crew responded to a call in the northwest end of the Forest City to aid a person experiencing heart and breathing issues.
Inside, paramedics attempted to determine what was wrong with the female patient.
Moments later, the small device they carry to every call, went off.
“When the crew entered the house, their CO (carbon monoxide) monitor went off, so upon transport of the patient they mentioned that as a potential underlying cause,” states Middlesex-London Paramedic Service Operations Manager Lynn McCreary.
It is not an unusual example she confirms.
“We might find this happens four to five times during the winter months,” McCreary adds.
It’s why the devices were first purchased six years ago, to protect paramedics and their patients.
The CO detectors are attached to a cardiac monitor that goes inside every residence, on every call.
While the devices ensure the safety of paramedics, the Deputy Chief of the London Fire Department contends they should not be needed.
Matt Hepditch reminds residents carbon monoxide detectors are mandatory in homes.
“So, it is required to be installed adjacent to any sleeping area on any floor of your home,” states Hepditch.
He says it is also important to note that if your detector goes off, do not hesitate, ever, to call 911.
“And they feel it may be a disruption to fire service, it’s not. It’s a legitimate 911 call”.
And that's especially at this time of year, he says, as many of us use fuel-fired appliances for heat and comfort.
“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” Hepditch affirms.
McCreary agrees, adding any hesitation on safety checks might result in a close call or worse.
“I’ve actually been on a call when one of these devices went off and we quickly took the patient right out of the house,” says McCreary.
“Carbon monoxide alarms are definitely life savers,” Hepditch concludes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The world is too messy for bureaucratic hurdles': Canada still bars Afghanistan aid
Ottawa has plans to finally stop blocking Canadian development aid to Afghanistan this year.
Student anti-war protesters dig in as faculties condemn university leadership over calling police
Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war at at universities across U.S., some of whom have clashed with police in riot gear, dug in Saturday and vowed to keep their demonstrations going, while several school faculties condemned university presidents who have called in law enforcement to remove protesters.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Hamas is reviewing an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, as possible Rafah offensive looms
Hamas said Saturday it was reviewing a new Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, as Egypt intensified efforts to broker a deal to end the months-long war and stave off a possible Israeli ground offensive into the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Cisco reveals security breach, warns of state-sponsored spy campaign
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.
I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'oesn't get' the global phenomenom.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Russia renews attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector as Kyiv launches drones at southern Russia
Russia launched a barrage of missiles against Ukraine overnight, in attacks that appeared to target the country's energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Russia said its air defense systems had intercepted more than 60 Ukrainian drones over the southern Krasnodar region.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs files motion to dismiss some claims in a sexual assault lawsuit
Lawyers for Sean "Diddy" Combs pushed back against a woman's lawsuit that accused him of sexual assault, filing a motion on Friday to dismiss some claims that were not under law when the alleged incident occurred.