Renfrew family cycling for CPR access, 2 years after son nearly died

Four days after Archer Hackett was born,doctors gave the Renfrew, Ont., boya pacemaker and sliced away nerves from his heart.

Five weeks later, in January 2014,hewent into cardiac arrest and he likely wouldhave died, had he not been swiftly resuscitated byhis parents, both paramedics.

On Sunday, two-year-oldArcher and the rest of his familyare planning on taking part in theHeart and Stroke Foundation's 29th annual Becel Ride for Heartin Toronto withArcher and his olderbrotherriding in asouped-uptrailer behind their father'sbike.

"He's been developing normally. He's a happy kid, he's outside sitting at the picnic table watching his brother play right now," said SeanHackettfrom the family'shome on Friday.

"He doesn't know anything's wrong. But there's this looming threat always [that] he could have a sudden cardiac arrest."

'Almost lucky'

While Archer was still in his mother's womb, he was diagnosed with Long QT syndrome, a mutation in the heart's electrical system that can cause the heart to beat irregularly.

Many people with Long QT never showsymptoms until their heart suddenly stops. That grim fact means that, counter-intuitively, the severity of Archer's condition has been a blessing in disguise, Hackett said.

"[People with Long QT]don't know it. They live a normal life, and then they're doing something like playing hockey or playing soccer and they go into a sudden cardiac arrest," saidHackett, a paramedic for nearly two decades.

"We're almost lucky in that Archer was so severe that we were able to identify himright away."

Archer's condition is so precarious that, for the first few months after his birth, Sean and his wifeRoxannerarely slept at the same time so one could always be awake in case their son's heart stopped.

While Long QT is a genetic disorder, the family says they've been tested and Archer is the only one who has it.

Riding with Archer's Arrows

Sunday'splan is to have Archer if he'shealthy enough to take part wired to a heart monitor, while the thehandlebars of his father's bike will beoutfitted with a remote monitor so that he can watchhis son's heartbeat throughout the ride.

It's the second year Hackett has taken part in the ride, which attracts thousands of participants.

Last year, said Hackett, his Archer's Arrowsteamwas able to raise enough money for four automated defibrillators for Renfrew, including one for each of the town's high schools.

If a sudden cardiac arrest occurs, we justhope and pray that the person next to him knows CPR and chooses to use it.-SeanHackett

This year, Hackett's team includes paramedics from around Ontario.The money they raise will hopefullygo towards initiatives in their own communities, said Hackett, including programs to promoteCPR instruction.

After all, when someone with a heart condition like Long QT Syndrome goes into cardiac arrest, prompt CPR can improve that person's chance of surviving from 10 per centto as high as 90 per cent, Hackett said.

"One day Archer is going to be out on his own," Hackett said. "And if a sudden cardiac arrest occurs, we justhope and pray that the person next to him knows CPR and chooses to use it."