Gracy Cars Plouffe used CPR to save her husband Walter Plouffe
Walter Plouffe has been dealing with heart disease for about five years. In mid-November he had a heart attack.Luckily, his wife Gracy Cars Plouffe used the CPR training that she learned many years ago and was able to save his life.
“I got off work. I worked the night at Safeway. I went to the basement to unwind and then all of a sudden, I heard a bang,” said Cars Plouffe.
That loud sound was her husband falling on the floor above her.
After checking to see if he was breathing, Cars Plouffe dragged him to a flat area on the floor and stretched him out.
“I started doing chest compressions,” explained Cars Plouffe.
Luckily, Plouffe’s daughter was also there and was able to help call 911 for assistance.
Cars Plouffe was able to continue to do chest compressions until the paramedics arrived and took over. Plouffe was taken to the hospital in Selkirk and is now doing well.
Cars Plouffe said that the paramedics and doctors told her that her quick thinking and application of CPR likely saved her husband’s life.
“I took a course when they had Academy of Learning on the corner of Eveline and Manitoba,” said Cars Plouffe.
She said that she took the course about ten years ago but that it came back to her when she needed the information and she just did the CPR.
Cars Plouffe remembers using a dummy to practise on in class.
She says that she decided to take the CPR course ten years ago because you never know when you’ll need it.
“(That way) you’re not standing there and you don’t know what to do. You’re saving someone’s life. When someone needs it right away, you are able to help them,” she explained.
Cars Plouffe said that her husband is doing better now.
“He’s great. He’s grateful. He’s very grateful that I helped him right away, and he was just so happy that I saved his life,” said Cars Plouffe.
The family is also very happy that they will be able to spend the holidays together again and, as a new family member is on its way, Plouffe is looking foward to a new grandchild.
Cars Plouffe encourages residents to find a course and learn CPR because you never know when you might need it.
“It’s a great thing to save someone’s life because you know you’re going to miss them. You did something good. You saved someone’s life, and now they can celebrate Christmas with you,” she said.
