A hallmark of any good team is how effectively the players fill their roles.

On Feb. 1, Diana Todd was the leader who took charge at the moment of truth. Maria Kubiak was the organizer, telling the accompanying players what to do. Andreas Hahn was Todd’s backup and Garrett Ross was the cavalry, leading the second wave of attack.

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Far from being Stanley Cup or NBA champions, the four Vancouverites achieved something entirely more meaningful. They gave Vincent Boh his life back.

The foursome was recognised Thursday with a Vital Link Award, which is presented by BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) to members of the public of who assist in life-or-death situations.

Thursday was the first time Boh met the four people who saved his life through CPR, teamwork, quick coordination and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

“There are awesome people in our world who are willing to step up and do the right thing,” said the 45-year-old chef.

The early morning of Feb. 1 was Boh’s third day back at the Steve Nash Fitness World outlet downtown after a nasty case of the flu took him out for two months.

He was on the treadmill when his Apple Watch suggested his heart rate was rapidly fluctuating. After that, it was lights out.

“I don’t remember anything,” Boh said.

Todd was on nearby treadmill and heard a thud. She first assumed Boh had fallen. When she got overtop him, Boh was unresponsive.

“I honestly don’t know that I had my wits about me — it was a very blacked-out moment,” Todd said. “You’re just focused on what you’re doing at the time. I just had my head down, pumping and yelling at him to respond.”

She began CPR, while Kubiak alerted gym staff and began organizing those around them with a to-do list.

Hahn stepped in to help with chest compressions when Todd needed a break. Ross, meanwhile, found the gym’s AED and applied it to Boh’s chest.

All four have CPR training and are the reason Boh is alive today.

“It was a very good effort all around,” Ross said. “Nothing was too crowded, everyone was given a role. I was told what to do.”

Paramedics were on scene within 15 minutes. For every minute that passes without help, a person's chance of surviving a cardiac arrest drops by about 10 per cent.

“I left the gym that morning and I didn’t think he was with us anymore,” said Todd, visually emotional as she recalled the day’s events. “I didn’t think we were able to save him. I went to my office to start working and was a mess.”

About 48 hours passed and still nothing. Todd combed social media and found Boh, who messaged her with the good news.

“I just started crying. I couldn’t believe it was message from him and that he was OK.”

Stats from BCEHS suggest 40,000 Canadians die a year from sudden cardiac arrest. With CPR and AED their chances of survival increase by up to 50 per cent.

A free demonstration outlining CPR and the use of an AED is planned for June 1 at Robson Square.

“CPR training is very simple and very cheap and easy to learn,” said Blake Kendon, Vancouver’s district manager for BCEHS. “You have proof today that it can save someone’s life.”

@JohnKurucz