Paramedics in Renfrew County in the Ottawa Valley were on duty Saturday as the storm hit Ontario and Quebec. Many calls had to do with snow, including two heart attacks while shoveling.
“Most of our calls today were related to severe weather,” said dispatcher Nick Leriche, according to CTV News. Be it chest pains while shoveling, falls or even injuries, the snow will have made life difficult for the population.
Paramedics also had to respond to two heart attacks that the patients did not survive.
“Patients try to shovel snow too quickly. They overwork themselves. Shoveling snow can be quite a workout,” Mr. Leriche explained.
Snow not only harms the population, but also the work of the emergency services on site, who have to contend with various hurdles.
“[Les gens] Call 911 and completely forget about the driveway and forget that we have to go in there, which makes it a little difficult,” said paramedic Devon Dean.
To avoid unnecessary calls, emergency services recommend shoveling the snow gradually. It's better to proceed slowly but surely. They also remind us that shoes suitable for snow are ideal to avoid falls.