FROM PAGE 1 STEVE’S ANGELS

the short time he had been gone, Nickerson said his condition had got worse. He was feeling dizzy and didn’t think he should drive, so he asked the black belt to drive him home.

During the five-minute drive, Nickerson called 811 and the pain level jumped from a two to a 10 on a 1-10 scale.

“It was the worse pain I have ever felt in my life,” Nickerson recalled.

“I interrupted the nurse and her question, and I said, ‘I am having a heart attack, put me over to 911 now.’”

Nickerson had recognized the signs from taking many first aid courses over the years.

His friend and wife helped get Nickerson into his home and soon the paramedics arrived.

“Amanda and I were able to recognize the patient’s condition in the field very quickly,” Cunningham said.

An electrocardiogram

(EKG) was taken and sent off to Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville. It was determined Nickerson was having a heart attack and needed to get to the regional hospital quickly.

“We knew right away the care he needed was the TNK from Jenny and to get to Valley regional,” Cunningham said.

Nova Scotia paramedics are able to administer a wide range of medications, including TNK, that used to only be available in a hospital.

“It’s a life-saving drug,” Cunningham said, “and we’re able to (administer) it in the field.”

Nickerson was taken by ambulance to Kentville, stabilized and then transported to Halifax for surgery.

POST-SURGERY

Nickerson is now back at his studio doing what he loves. He has about 70 students ranging in age from six to 70.

“Aikido is life to me. I fell in love with this martial art,” he said from the former Baptist church. “What’s kept me going for 31 years non-stop is the love of teaching and seeing the bright-eyed children and adults.”

And he owes a big part of his return to normal life to the three women who cared for him on Jan. 17.

“Our paramedics are some of the most professional people I’ve ever met. If I gave them a score, they got 100 per cent,

they really did. They’re true heroes in my eyes and in the eyes of every person that they touch.”

Nickerson said he wanted to share his experience to let the paramedics know how appreciative he is for the care he received.

“It’s a hugely stressful vocation. I can only imagine what some of them are going through and my heart goes out to them.”

AED

Nickerson has since purchased an automated external defibrillator (AED) for his studio.

Nickerson started a fundraiser to secure the money to purchase the equipment. In eight days, he raised $3,000 – $500 more than what was needed, so he donated the rest to the Upper Room Food Bank.

“This AED is not about me. I happened to have an incident, (but) this AED is truly about the next person. And hopefully, we never have to use it. I hope it sits there and rots,” he said.

He downloaded the video for the AED he purchased and sent it to his students. They had a quiz and will do refreshers to ensure everyone is familiar

with where to find the equipment and how to use it.

“The machine talks you through it,” Nickerson said, noting there are safeguards in place.

While he acknowledged the cost can be a barrier for some small organizations, he hopes by sharing his story other organizations will host a fundraiser to garner the required funds.

Haynes said she appreciated Nickerson’s initiative.

“That’s fabulous. I wish more people would do that in the community. Hopefully, he inspires others to do the same thing,” Haynes said, noting how she enjoyed the chance to meet Nickerson. “It’s nice to see him doing well, thriving.”