Mikey On The Go

The Mikey Network partnered with GO Transit and the Toronto EMS Cardiac Safe City program, to help The Beat Go On by introducing MIKEY defibrillators across Go Transit’s extensive network, on board GO Trains and at GO stations.

Public transit facilities are a natural fit with MIKEYs (defibrillators). In partnership with GO Transit, The Mikey Network has installed MIKEYs throughout GO Transit facilities and transportation, reaching out to more than 100,000 bus and train travellers of all ages on a typical weekday, plus GO staff who have been trained to use the defibrillators.

GO was the first transit system in the Greater Toronto Area to equip its vehicles and facilities with MIKEY defibrillators. Having easy-to-access defibrillators on board is another way GO is putting the safety of its passengers first.

100 MIKEYS have been placed through our Mikey on the GO program, and they have already been put to good use saving lives.

Mikey defibrillator used to save GO passenger

Derek Thompson used a Mikey to rescue a man having a cardiac arrest. Photo Credit: JOSH TAPPER/TORONTO STAR

As the GO train pulled in to Union Station, George Koshil, who had been scheduled for coronary artery bypass surgery in late October, collapsed and went into cardiac arrest on Platform 12.

Lucky for him, GO customer service ambassador Derek Thompson was there.  After Koshil stopped breathing, Thompson fastened a Mikey (portable Automated External Defibrillator) to Koshil’s chest and hit the button. He then performed CPR before Koshil coughed and started breathing.  Paramedics arrived soon after and rushed Koshil to St. Michael’s Hospital.

According to one passenger who contacted GO to commend Derek Thompson,

 “The [CSA] appeared to be calm, in control and fully trained for the incident.  He used the defibrillator (I think twice) and administered chest compression, as well as mouth to mouth.  The last thing I saw was the man breathing.  I don’t know if the elderly man survived but high praise to the [CSA] who worked hard in reviving the man.  …  I am glad to see that the staff at GO transit is fully trained in emergencies and that they care!”