Grouse Grinders say you must be fit for “Nature’s Stairmaster” after heart attack Sunday
Posted September 3, 2018 9:29 am.
Last Updated September 4, 2018 10:46 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A man in his 50s who collapsed from a cardiac arrest on the Grouse Grind is okay, and he can thank the fitness of three District of North Vancouver firefighters for that.
The first responders sprinted part way up the steep and strenuous trail with a defibrillator and were able to resuscitate the man Sunday afternoon.
There’s no word on whether or not he suffered from any kind of heart condition or other issues.
Some hikers on the holiday Monday were not surprised at the rescue, saying it takes a certain fitness level to tackle the trail, which is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
“It’s really fun for them to try this trail because you hear stories about how it’s one of the most challenging trails here. But if you’re not physically fit, if you’re not doing regular exercises, it might not be for you,” says Pearlie. “You have to be really careful and see where your fitness level is at.”
Tom is a regular who does the Grouse Grind twice a week on average. He feels most people who hike the Grind — known as “Nature’s Stairmaster” — are well prepared and up for the task.
“For the most part. But if I’ve got a friend who’s overweight or whatever, I’m not going to encourage him to do the Grind with us,” he tells NEWS 1130, adding that if there is trouble, it is usually dealt with quickly.
“One time we were hiking down and my friend tumbled and we had three people stop and help him. Six guys came up with a [stretcher] and carried him down. They’re pretty quick to respond.”
There have been a number of fatal cardiac arrests on the Grouse Grind in recent years.
A 55 year old man died on the trail in 2015 and a 50 year old man succumbed to a heart attack in 2013.
There was also a heart-related death in 2006.
Metro Vancouver Grouse Grind park rangers and B.C. Ambulance also responded to Sunday’s call.
The trail was closed for a few hours for the rescue.
— with files from Taran Parmar
