Jillian Baird, a server at Top Notch Burgers, is credited with saving the life of a customer after performing CPR and chest compressions Monday afternoon. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

LIFE SAVER

Server saves man’s life at Nanaimo burger restaurant

Sep 3, 2020 | 12:00 PM

NANAIMO — What a Nanaimo server at first thought was a joke turned serious and saw her take heroic action.

Jillian Baird, a server at Top Notch Burgers in downtown Nanaimo, went to check on a customer during an afternoon meal on Monday, Aug. 31.

“He said he needed an ambulance,” Baird said. “He vocalized it and was pretty normal so I thought he was making a joke at first.”

The situation quickly escalated when the man doubled over on the table, suffering a cardiac arrest.

Baird quickly told a co-worker at the bar to call 9-1-1. With the help of kitchen staff she got the man to the ground and began administering CPR with the guidance of a BCEHS medical emergency call taker on the phone.

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“The (person on the phone) was amazing, I wanted to thank him, he helped me a lot through all of it. I knew the steps that needed to be taken, but to have someone reassuring and walking me through it was very helpful.”

BCEHS call takers are trained to provide clear instruction to bystanders on proper first aid procedures, including CPR.

Baird completed her level one occupational first aid course earlier in the year and said the lessons learned were still very fresh.

“I didn’t really process it that much, I just thought of the steps I needed to take but I wasn’t really thinking of the after effects…what was going to happen to this guy after he left,” Baird said.

Paramedics arrived 15 minutes after the emergency call was placed, stabilized the man and transported him to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for recovery.

Leon Baranowski, paramedic practice leader from BC Emergency Health Services, said intervention from Baird potentially saved the man’s life.

“Whilst we are en route, it’s those early actions that make the biggest difference in care for patients.”

Baranowski added CPR and early use of an AED can actually increase the chance of survival by up to 75 per cent.

Studies have shown every minute which passes without help decreases the chance of survival from cardiac arrest by 10 per cent.

In November 2019, a man successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver on a fellow diner after she choked on a piece of steak. He was later presented with an award recognizing his efforts.

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