Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Arctic Bay (Apr 22/02) - When Naisana Eecheak hurried through the door of his friend's bedroom late one Friday night in March, his life changed forever.

In the second it took him to react to the sight of his friend hanging by a chain from a chin-up bar, the 17-year-old made a decision that has people in Arctic Bay calling him a hero.

He grabbed onto the nearly lifeless body of someone he'd known for years and, with the help of another man, released his friend and stopped him from suffocating.

Using first aid skills he learned in his four years as a member of the local army cadet corps, Eecheak saved a life that day.

"It was scary," said Eecheak, recalling the event a few weeks later.

He'd been at a dance at the community gymnasium in Arctic Bay when three girls ran in and told him his friend was trying to hang himself. Eecheak ran directly to the house.

"They tried to stop him, but he was too heavy. They didn't know where to go. They just came to the gym and got me. I was the closest to the door," said Eecheak.

A few minutes later, he came face to face with an image that continues to haunt him. "He was hanging there, not moving. His face was all purple and his tongue was sticking out. I didn't know what to do. I tried to take him down, but I couldn't because he was too heavy. Then another guy came in and I told him to help me, so he did."

Eecheak administered first aid until three other men arrived and took over the resuscitation effort. The group then carried the young man to the nursing station.

"It was far and he was very heavy. We banged and banged and the nurse came to the door."

Eecheak spent the next seven hours at the nursing station. He wanted to see how his friend was doing before an air ambulance took him to Iqaluit.

Reassured the young man would live, Eecheak went home to try to rest. He spent a sleepless weekend mulling over what happened and recounting the story to family, peers and community members.

Eecheak said people are always stopping him and asking him about what happened, but he seems more awed by the reaction to his bravery than anything else.

"People are saying Naisana is a hero, or something like that," he said.

Ron Elliott, an Arctic Bay resident who has known Eecheak for several years, said he is pleased with the cadet's approach to training. "I am definitely proud knowing there are young people in the community who don't question what to do," he said.

Eecheak's quick thinking has also captured the attention of Capt. Bud Rhyndress, a cadet instructor. He said military officers are reviewing the events to decide how best to respond.

Whether it be Air, Army or Sea Cadets, the program teaches participants citizenship and leadership skills, as well as more hands-on training like first aid and CPR.

"Once they've gone through training, they're better prepared as leaders. They take charge and know how to implement plans," said Rhyndress, from his office in Yellowknife.

Rhyndress said he and his colleagues are pleased Eecheak learned his lessons well. "We're extremely proud," he said. "It's nice to see cadets excelling, especially when they save life."

Warrant officer Steve Sandahl, also involved with the Northern Cadet Program, said Eecheak showed his cadet peers the relevancy of their training.

"Some kids believe they'll never be in a position where they have to use this, but this is a case in point" said Sandahl. "This is a happy ending and we're quite proud of what he accomplished."

Meanwhile, as Eecheak settles back into his daily routine, he finds he could be in line for an award. More important is the fact he can sleep peacefully once again, now that his friend is back in Arctic Bay.

"I told him don't ever do that again. It was so scary. And I told him he owes me."