For Mark Lazare, simply being alive today is a miracle.

This is what the Pointe Claire dentist told a crowd of friends, family, and City of Pointe Claire representatives during a press conference on the importance of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at the Malcolm-Knox Aquatics Centre Monday morning.

“I’m glad to see you all here,” he said. “I must admit, I’m very glad to be here.”

On March 11, Lazare headed to the Aquatics Centre to swim laps, as he has done on an almost daily basis for the past 30 years. However, this day would be very different: as Lazare was coming out of the shower, he suffered a major myocardial infraction leading to cardiac arrest.

“At first, we thought it was a head injury,” said director of the Aquatics Centre, Gary Malcom, who has known Lazare since the dentist first started coming to swim his laps. But then the three lifeguards and staff on duty realized Lazare was not breathing, Malcom added. They called 911 and used the available AED – a portable defibrillation device designed to identify the problem and give instructions so that almost anyone can use it -- actions Lazare believes saved his life.

“Basically, from what I understand, I was dead. I had no heart beat pumping blood. I wasn’t breathing,” Lazare said, his voice shaking. “It’s a miracle I’m still alive, thanks to the efforts, the collaboration, of all these people.”

Pointe Claire Mayor Bill McMurchie also said a few words on the history of defibrillators and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in Pointe Claire, including the Pointe Claire CPR organization, which has been teaching people CPR for the past 30 years.

“Since that time, 25,000 people have received CPR training in Pointe Claire,” McMurchie said.

Over the past two years, thanks to funding from former Pointe Claire director general Oliver Nicholson and his wife Estelle, the city was able to buy 10 AEDs to for their public buildings. In all, Pointe Claire has 15 AEDs, including five mobile units with public security, two mobile units with the Pointe Claire Volunteer Rescue Unit, and units in the Bob Birnie Arena, Stewart Hall, the libraries, and the Malcolm Knox Aquatic Centre, among others. About 350 people have been trained to use the AEDs, McMurchie added.

“We’re here today with Mark to recognize the value of this program, and what better example than a living Mark Lazare,” McMurchie said. “We don’t wish to see another (incident), but if it does happen, we’re equipped.”

Lazare also showed his gratitude by presenting a plaque to Aquatics Centre lifeguards Kevin Pinsky, James Tobin, and Damian Bowness, and aquatics manager Bill Gate, the people who came to his aid the day of his heart attack.

“Thank you. I’m thanking them with what I think is the highest possible level – for saving someone else’s life…I don’t know how to express myself,” said Lazare, as a number of people in the audience wiped tears from their eyes. “I really want you to realize that I continue to think it’s a miracle I’m here.”

Jacques Pharand