The Toronto Star
BEAMSVILLE, Ontario — Brett Beaulieu’s father Dale had a heart attack while watching his son play hockey. He waited 30 minutes for an ambulance and passed away en route to the hospital eight years ago.
When a family friend had a heart attack, he was given Aspirin while waiting for paramedics - and he survived.
That’s what inspired Beaulieu, 19, and his brother Andrew, 25, to find a way to ensure people always have Aspirin close by.
The brothers, from Beamsville, Ont., came up with Key to Life, a red waterproof pill case on a keychain designed to hold one 325 mg or two 81 mg tablets of Aspirin, also known by its generic name acetylsalicylic acid or ASA.
“If someone has a heart attack, just administering the ASA could be very beneficial and save their life,” said Beaulieu.
Heart attacks are caused by blockages in arteries that slow or stop blood supply to the heart. When someone having a heart attack chews one 325 mg tablet or two 81 mg Aspirin tablets, the drug prevents blood platelets from attaching to the blockage and keeps blood and oxygen flowing, limiting damage to the heart.
Beaulieu has a penchant for graphic design and handled the creative work, while his brother, who studied architectural technology at Mohawk College, designed the case. The keychains can be purchased for $2.99, plus tax and shipping and handling, on the Key to Life website, keytolifegroup.com.
The Peel branch of St. John Ambulance has also reached out to the brothers.
The organization recommends the use of ASA in its First Aid courses - and they will soon sell the key chains.
They hope other St. John Ambulance locations in Ontario will do the same.
The keychain holds Aspirin pills, which limit damage if taken after a heart attack.
Copyright 2013 Toronto Star Newspapers Limited