Heart & Stroke NB’s 12th annual NAPA Hockey Heroes Weekend took a shocking turn when it became a race to save the life of one of the participants.
Mike Oulton, the Action Car & Accessories goalie, and his teammates were in the dressing room following a game when he collapsed. The team thought Mike was experiencing a seizure and immediately yelled for help. Kurtis Sisk, CEO of Heart & Stroke, heard the cries for help and ran to the dressing room.
Kurtis quickly identified that Mike was not having a seizure but was in cardiac arrest. He asked a colleague, Annie Smith, to call 911 before he ran to retrieve the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) from the lobby.
When he returned with the AED Kurtis directed the team to remove Mike’s gear, and lay him on the floor, as he began to turn on the AED.
"At that moment, realizing something was wrong and having access to an AED was crucial," says Kurtis.
Carole Gautreau and Isabelle Babineau, both off-duty paramedics participating in the tournament overheard the desperate shouts from the dressing room and rushed in to help save Mike’s life. They immediately placed the AED pads on his bare chest and started CPR.
Once the AED detected a shock was required, it told those nearby to stay back as it delivered the first shock to his heart. Carole and Isabelle continued to perform CPR on Mike until he received a third shock from the AED and was revived.
Minutes after he was revived, Mike sat up, and astonishingly began moving and talking with emergency crews as they arrived.
"Witnessing Mike come back to life was a powerful reminder of why our mission to place AEDs throughout the province is so important. It's not just about numbers - it's about saving lives,” Kurtis said.
Mike was transported to the Moncton Hospital and later transferred to the NB Heart Center at the Saint John Regional Hospital.
"I am incredibly grateful to everyone who helped save my life," said Mike. "From the moment I collapsed, every second mattered. I can't thank my teammates, Kurtis, and the paramedics enough. Their actions truly made the difference."
Mike’s experience underscores the critical importance of recognizing an emergency and acting fast.
“When seconds count, don’t hesitate,” says Kurtis, reflecting on the moments that saved Mike’s life.
AEDs are designed to detect cardiac arrest and only deliver a shock if necessary—if someone is unresponsive, it’s essential to call for one. Acting quickly can make all the difference.
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