Jerry Laird had no pulse onstage which prompted the crowd to perform CPR. A Charlottetown man suffered a heart attack while playing on stage at a local bar. After the incident, he owes his life to the people in the audience who helped.
Two women in the crowd who had medical training hopped on stage and helped in reviving the musician. A registered nurse, Colleen Murphy, and her friends started coming to the Saturday blues jam at The Factory Cookhouse & Dancehall a couple of months ago.
Jerry Laird was in the middle of playing one of his tunes when he collapsed to the floor and had no pulse. Murphy started mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while her friend starts the chest compressions. After 10 minutes, 2 paramedics arrived and took over. This was followed by another EMS in which defibrillation was started.
Do not lose hope
According to Murphy, it was not looking good after the 4th shock was delivered. The emergency team had already given 2 different medications. Laird was shocked 4 times and it has been already 30 minutes of CPR. On the 5th shock, Laird started to breathe and the crowd broke into cheers.
Laird is currently in a healthcare facility in Halifax waiting for a triple bypass. He is in good condition thanks to the strangers who restored his breathing.
CPR and AED
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) during emergencies can save a life. Prompt delivery of these measures can mean a difference between life and death.
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LEARN MORE
Learn how to help by enrolling in a first aid course and for more information, check out these sources: