Esquimalt, BC – An Esquimalt man is recovering in hospital after VicPD Patrol officers were able to provide life-saving first aid through a technique taught in our recent Police Officer Down training.
Patrol officers were called to a multi-unit residence in the 700-block of Lampson Street in Esquimalt just after midnight this morning for a call of a man in distress. When they arrived, the patrol officers discovered the man suffering life-threatening injuries and in need of immediate first aid. The officers, who were recently trained in the application of tourniquets as part of this year’s Officer Down training, applied two tourniquets and provided other life-saving first aid.
VicPD’s Police Officer Down training was adopted from the Vancouver Police Department Police Officer Down training and was developed in-house by VicPD officers, including members who serve Patrol and the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team to provide life-saving first aid to themselves or other officers. The training was first created by VPD and adapted by VicPD members with the assistance of Dr. Mark Vu who serves as VicPD’s Medical Director.
“The nature of law enforcement exposes police members to potentially life threatening occupational injuries, and the Police Officer Down training program empowers officers with the skills and equipment to help themselves and other police officers who are injured in the line of duty,” VicPD Medical Director Dr. Mark Vu said. “Occasionally, when appropriate, having police officers with these skills will also benefit the safety of the public that we serve. I am grateful for the expert, professional response from these officers earlier this morning that appears to have had a life-saving impact on a member of the public, and I sincerely wish that individual a speedy recovery. I also want to acknowledge our colleagues, paramedics with at BC Emergency Services ambulance and Esquimalt Fire Rescue for their roles in assisting this individual.”
The man was transported to hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries for treatment, where he remains.