Cardiac arrest in a public location
Security received a radio call for assistance from the Outreach Urban Health Safe Consumption Site (SCS) medical staff, who had found a person in the alleyway behind their facility. The man, who was over six feet tall and weighed approximately 300lbs, appeared to be experiencing a cardiac arrest.
When Security Officer Harpreet Walia arrived on-scene, he found two nurses administering CPR after they had been unable to detect a pulse.
Due to the patient’s size, the nurse providing compressions was becoming fatigued. Fortunately, Officer Walia was OFA 1 and CPR qualified, so he volunteered to assist. He was able to continue providing CPR until the arrival of an ambulance team, which assumed care of the patient and transported him to hospital. We later learned that the patient had been stabilized at the hospital and survived the ordeal.
Security Officer Walia was congratulated for his efforts by the Outreach Urban Health medical staff, which played an instrumental role in saving the life of this man.
Thank you, Officer Walia!
Canadian Security Lifesaver Association®