Sailor to receive CRCN Commendation

LS Christopher Pearson

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

A Supply Technician from Base Logistics’ Return Stores is the recipient of a Commander Royal Canadian Navy (CRCN) Commendation for his life-saving revival of a man in downtown Victoria earlier this year.

LS Christopher Pearson, 28, is set to accept the award in the near future. The award recognizes Canadian Armed Forces members who go beyond the demand of normal duty with a good deed or activity.

For the sailor, his good deed took place April 14, while travelling to work. At the corner of Douglas St. and Yates St. he came across a man who appeared to be unconscious. Upon closer inspection he discovered the man had no pulse and was not breathing. Using recently learned first aid techniques he revived the man while a bystander called 9-1-1.

Weeks earlier he had taken his standard St. John’s Ambulance First Aid Training. While the training is mandatory for all Canadian Armed Forces members, LS Pearson says the timing couldn’t have been better for both him and the victim.

“I was able to go through everything step-by-step in my mind,” he says.

Paramedics and Victoria Police arrived on the scene within 10 minutes and transported the man to hospital.

For LS Pearson, the story ended there. Then Nov. 15 he received an unexpected visit from Capt(N) Steve Waddell, Base Commander. After a handshake between the two, the Base Commander told him of the award.

“His visit was a complete, but pleasant, surprise; he joked with me and then asked ‘Weren’t you expecting me?’” said LS Pearson.

After the presentation the sailor will be able to wear the commendation, which features a silver bar bearing three maple leafs, on his uniform.

“I wasn’t expecting any kind of recognition or commendation to come from any of this,” said LS Pearson. “Helping that man was just a natural reaction for me. I saw someone in distress and offered them my help.”

Return Stores team leader Ritch Cauthers said despite LS Pearson’s modesty personnel in his unit are “extremely proud” of him and many stopped by his desk to congratulate him on the award. Cauthers said the majority of LS Pearson’s co-workers are planning to attend the award presentation to show their support.