Quick action from the staff at the Tsawwassen White Spot likely saved a man who went into medical distress recently.
Just after 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 2, a patron enjoying a meal in the restaurant’s lounge area, went up to the bartender holding his chest saying he was in trouble and that he needed help. Seconds later he hit the floor.
Bartender Chelsea Kennedy, who is a certified first aid attendant, server Shane Dermott, also certified in CPR and floor manager Alexandra Vandenberg jumped into action.
“I came around the corner and saw the man laying down and I thought maybe he slipped or something,” Dermott recalled. “Alex and Chelsea asked me to go get something for his head, so we have these cushions and I went and got one and when I got back, they said he wasn’t breathing. Chelsea and I looked at each other and it was like, OK, let’s start CPR.”
With Vandenberg on the phone with 911 and the busy restaurant patrons looking on, Dermott started CPR.
“Alex then said the 911 dispatcher asked whether we had an AED (defibrillator), which we did. I went and grabbed it and Chelsea took over CPR,” Dermott said. “I came back and she knew how to hook it up, which she did and we shocked him and he started coming around. A few minutes later the firefighters were here and they took over. It was pretty crazy.”
Having the AED on hand and the staff trained how to use it was key to saving the man’s life according to Delta fire Chief Dan Copeland, who wrote a letter of thanks to the staff.
Copeland said the three staff members were professional and displayed the calmness of veteran first responders.
“I wish to express our sincere appreciation to White Spot management for its foresight in having its staff trained in first aid and having an AED in the restaurant,” he wrote. “This factor, as well as the excellent response from your staff, played an integral part in helping to save the patient’s life. Delta is very fortunate to have concerned and involved businesses and individuals such as you in the community.”
Manager Randy Kaiser said a similar incident occurred about three years ago in their lounge.
He said they didn’t have a defibrillator then, but that incident was a wake-up call that it would be a good idea to have an AED on hand and that staff were trained how to use it.
“It was a pretty remarkable situation. We have an older clientele, and sometimes things happen, so it’s good to know that we have this piece of equipment should a need arise,” he said.
Manager Carmen Becir was on shift three years ago during that first medical incident.
“We certainly learned a lesson or two from the last time,” she said. “To know that neither of us were here during this latest emergency and that our staff handled things so awesome really makes us proud.”
Kaiser said White Spot is looking at making it a company policy to have an AED in all their restaurants and to have all staff trained how to use it.
“It costs money, but that doesn’t matter. I’ll spend $2,000 and get the training for my staff if it means saving someone’s life,” he said.
