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Disco saved my life: How Bee Gees rhythms can keep you ‘Stayin’ Alive’ By DESMOND DEVOY desmond.devoy@metroland.com

EMC News – Who knew that the Bee Gees could save your life? Love or hate their music, paramedics couldn’t be happier for the disco king’s infectiously catchy 1978 hit ‘Stayin’ Alive,’ since the rhythm of the aptly-named song could, literally, help keep you alive. In the Lanark County council chambers last week, politicians from across the county gathered to get a demonstration on the revised CPR methods, and to practice the new, simpler techniques themselves. (Now, let’s get the obvious joke out of the way – with so many training dummies around, the council chambers saw more dummies than normal sitting around the table.) Paramedic Ed McPherson, who, in another life, is

also a Perth town councillor, couldn’t resist cracking a joke of his own as he beheld his demo dummy. “This is a Maple Leafs fan,� he joked, before the more serious discussion and demonstration, part of Paramedic Week in Ontario, on Wednesday, May 23. In 2010, CPR training would instruct people to go down a long checklist, which, done properly, could take up to a minute. “Once your heart stops, you have four minutes,� said McPherson. So, literally, every second counts. So, it was decided by the powers that be that the way CPR was taught be changed to, literally, get to the heart of the matter as quickly as possible. “I want to put CPR to music,� said McPherson. Briefly, once the patient’s head has been elevated slight-

ly, and someone else has called 911, interlock your fingers, press down on the centre of the patient’s chest with your palm 30 times, in time with the Bee Gees hit – “Stayin’ Alive/ Stayin’ Alive/Unh-unh-unhunh/Stayin’ Alive,� pushing hard and fast the whole time. Once you have done your 30 compressions, then do two breaths into the patient, though McPherson admitted that “nobody wants to do mouth-to-mouth with someone they don’t know.� Then, repeat as necessary, until the ambulance or fire crew arrives, or someone arrives with a nearby defibrillator. “That’s all there is to CPR today,� said McPherson. “That’s all you have to do,� until help arrives. “Unless they open their eyes and look like they are alive, you keep pushing,� added McPherson.

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Common-law couples –some important ďŹ nancial planning advice It’s happening more and more, these days: Couples choosing to live together before, or instead of, getting married. But living commonlaw has its own unique set of financial consequences that need to be carefully considered. Here are a few tips for making the relationship work, financially. • Goal-set from the getgo You and your partner each have personal financial objectives, resources and obligations – get them on the table in a frank discussion about how you are going to achieve those goals as a couple. That way, you’ll limit or prevent potentially painful financial consequences should your relationship one day end. • Live together, talk together Be clear about how much you expect to spend, save and invest. Discuss the management of your personal finances and determine who will pay which bills and how you’ll share household expenditures. • Write it down Early on, see your lawyer and sign an agreement, commonly known as a cohabitation or common-law contract that sets out the terms of your financial relationship.

Manage Your Money • Will it to happen In some jurisdictions, upon your death, your common-law partner may have statutory rights to a division of “family propertyâ€? or to “dependant’s reliefâ€?, and may also have rights under intestate succession rules if you die without a will. In those cases, you may want to include in your will provisions for children of a previous marriage/relationship. In other provinces, including QuĂŠbec, a common-law partner is not recognized as a legal heir – so you may want to provide for your partner by signing a valid will. Given the continual changes in the law in this area, you need to speak with your legal and financial advisors regularly and keep your estate plan up to date. • Know the law Certain laws recognize common-law spouses. Seek information from your legal advisor on the impact these laws might have on your personal situation in your jurisdiction. Know too, that tax laws apply to common-law partners so be aware of the effect of

your relationship from a tax perspective. • RRSP it You and your partner can take advantage of income-splitting opportunities by contributing to your partner’s spousal RRSP – but be aware that the contributor may not be able to get these funds back should you separate (depending on your province or territory of residence). • Plan for it Get your relationship on solid financial ground that fits with your life plans by meeting with your professional legal and financial advisors as soon as possible. This column, written and published by Investors Group Financial Services Inc. (in QuÊbec – a Financial Services Firm), and Investors Group Securities Inc. (in QuÊbec, a firm in Financial Planning) presents general information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any investments. Contact your own advisor for specific advice about your circumstances. For more information on this topic please contact your Investors Group Consultant.

When it’s time to retire, will your RRSP be enough? It’s time to consider additional strategies to maximize your Darlene Donnelly CFP Robert McGlade CFP FMA CIM Jane Graham CFP (613) 264-0064 ext 23 (613) 269-4906 (613) 264-1530 investment potential Perth Merrickville Perth and minimize the taxes For Exciting Career Opportunities you pay today.

Photo by DESMOND DEVOY

Paramedic Ed McPherson demonstrated the new CPR techniques for county politicians in the Lanark County council chambers on Wednesday, May 22, as part of Paramedic Week.

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THE EMC - 5 - Thursday, May 30, 2013

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