P.E.I. Musician Saved After On-Stage Cardiac Arrest: A Powerful Reminder of Why CPR Training Matters
What began as a routine Saturday blues jam at The Factory Cookhouse & Dancehall in Charlottetown quickly turned into a life-or-death emergency when local musician Jerry Laird collapsed mid-performance. Laird had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and had no pulse—but thanks to fast, determined action from people in the audience, he survived.
This story was first reported by CBC News, and you can read the original article here:
👉 P.E.I. musician’s on-stage heart attack prompts audience to jump into action
A Sudden Collapse on Stage
Laird was performing one of his own songs when he suddenly crumpled to the floor. Audience members quickly realized the urgency of the situation. Two women—both medically trained—immediately rushed on stage to help.
Registered Nurse Colleen Murphy and her friend had only recently begun attending the Saturday blues jam sessions. On this particular night, their presence made all the difference.
Upon reaching Laird, they discovered he had no pulse.
Murphy began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
Her friend started chest compressions
For ten minutes, the pair worked tirelessly, refusing to give up. When paramedics arrived, they administered medications and delivered multiple shocks using a defibrillator.
“I Was Losing a Little Hope”
Murphy later recalled how difficult the situation felt after several unsuccessful attempts:
“They had already given him two different medications. We shocked him four times… it’s been about 30 minutes of CPR and it seemed to me like this just was not going to end properly.”
Even the emergency team knew the odds were running thin. But then came the fifth jolt.
Suddenly, Laird began to breathe.
The crowd—silent and tense only moments before—erupted in cheers. Murphy described the scene:
“It felt like everybody was praying or willing him to live.”
“They Just Would Not Give Up”
Laird was transported to Halifax, where he awaited triple-bypass surgery. Grateful and emotional, he later reflected:
“How amazing these people are that would just not give up… If they would have stopped at the normal time limits, I wouldn’t have been here. They just had one more try, and that’s what did it.”
His story is a powerful reminder that bystanders equipped with CPR skills can make the difference between life and death.
Why CPR and AED Training Saves Lives
Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere—on stage, at home, at work, or in public places. When it does, survival depends on how quickly someone begins CPR and uses an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Every minute without CPR reduces a person’s chance of survival by 7–10%.
In Laird’s case, immediate action kept oxygen flowing to his brain until defibrillation could restart his heart.
This event demonstrates:
Anyone can step up and save a life
Training builds confidence to act
Persistence and teamwork matter
Early CPR and rapid AED use dramatically increase survival
Learn CPR & Gain the Confidence to Act
Most people will witness a medical emergency in their lifetime. Being trained means you’ll know exactly what to do instead of feeling helpless.
This course teaches the essential skills that made the difference in Jerry Laird’s survival.
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