L-R: Robyn Sherwood, Tracy Schumacher, Patty Kenny, and ROss Kenny, with their Vital Link Awards (photo by Liam Verster/Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Vital Link Award

Citizens recognized for doing CPR, saving man’s life

May 16, 2025 | 12:21 PM

Four citizens were presented with awards in recognition of their quick action to save a man who suffered cardiac arrest.

Patty Kenny, Ross Kenny, Tracey Schumacher, and Robyn Sherwood were working out at the Predator Ridge Fitness Centre in April of 2023, when an older man collapsed on a treadmill, suffered cardiac arrest and stopped breathing.

Tracey and Patty quickly responded to the incident and performed CPR. Robyn called 911, and Ross fetched an artificial external defibrillator (AED) and helped control the scene as the women worked on the man.

The man started breathing again thanks to their efforts before paramedics arrived at the scene and took over treatment.

The four citizens were honoured with a Vital Link Award at a special ceremony in Vernon Friday. The Vital Link Award, presented by B.C. Emergency Health Services recognizes bystanders who take action during a cardiac arrest emergency.

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After receiving the awards, the four good samaritans reflected on the events of that day.

“I was at Predator Ridge visiting my good friends [Patty and Ross] and we went for a workout and were on our way into the yoga studio when we saw the victim fall off the treadmill,” Tracy explained.

“At first I thought he had slipped off the back and we alerted a few people and the treadmill [was turned] off, and [then] we thought he was having a seizure, and then he stopped breathing.”

“I think our training, and working together for so many years, it became interestingly automatic to say ‘What do we do? He’s not breathing, let’s initiate CPR. Ross, go get the AED.’ Robyn was already on [the phone with] 911. It comes back to you very quickly.”

Patty and Tracy are dentists and do CPR training every year as part of their jobs.

“Working on those mannequins did translate to real life where you’re automatically going through the steps, ABC (airway, breathing, circulation) and that sort of thing,” Patty added.

“It actually, once it all was happening, it became kind of automatic.”

The four, as well as the paramedics at the award presentation, encouraged people take CPR courses so they can also respond to these types of emergencies.