Saskatoon paramedics honoured two little boys Tuesday for their bravery in the face of a tough situation.
Kian and Grayson Wu, 10 and 7, were getting set to watch a movie at their grandmother’s house on Nov. 10 when she suddenly lost consciousness.
The boys fell back on C-P-R lessons they got from their mom.
“There was no sign of breathing, so we checked her pulse and no sign of a heartbeat. So my brother and me knew there was something wrong, so I called 911,” Grayson said.
Kian ended up being the one to speak to the dispatcher, who guided him through the steps to help keep his grandmother alive until paramedics arrived.
“They told me to lay her on the ground flat with no pillows below her body and start chest compressions.”
It took about six minutes for paramedics to get to the scene, but both boys said it felt like a lifetime.
“It was hard to stay brave because our grandma was in a cardiac arrest,” Grayson said.
The two were presented with awards Tuesday at a special ceremony at the Medavie Health Services West headquarters on Melville Street.
Patti Chatterson, the boys’ grandmother, was at the ceremony. Having worked as an emergency room nurse, she said she knew full well how lucky she was to have survived.
“It’s a battle, so that’s why I appreciate my outcome so much, because I know everything that’s involved in getting to this point.”
She said she was especially thankful her quick-thinking grandsons were there with her.
“I’m on my second life now and I’ve got a renewed appreciation for life.”
Chatterson said she wanted to share her story as an example of how important it is for anyone of any age to learn CPR.
“People need to be aware of recognizing emergencies like this. When somebody goes down they have to check the pulse, check the breathing and be right on it to call 911.”
Listen to the call between a dispatcher with Medavie Health Services West and 10-year-old Kian Wu.