Toddler Saved After Emergency CPR in Taxi: Parents Thank Dispatchers and First Responders
A 17-month-old boy from St. John’s is recovering in hospital after a terrifying medical emergency inside a taxi. His parents say they are profoundly grateful for the quick thinking, teamwork, and CPR efforts that helped save their son’s life.
Read the original CBC News story here:
👉 Toddler still in hospital after CPR in a taxi, parents thank responders
A Sudden Crisis on a Routine Trip
Jason Roddan, his wife, and their toddler Christopher were on their way to get groceries in a Jiffy Cab when their ordinary outing turned into a life-or-death situation. Christopher suddenly became unresponsive, stopped breathing, and had no detectable heartbeat.
Jason acted immediately. “I ripped him out of the car seat and put him in the passenger side and started doing CPR for about 15 minutes before first responders actually arrived,” he recalled.
Both parents were frightened, but they relied on the basic knowledge they had and did everything they could to keep their son alive until help arrived.
CPR Guidance Delivered Through the Cab Radio
During the crisis, dispatcher Jay Dunn at Jiffy Cabs recognized the urgency of the situation and began relaying CPR instructions over the cab radio. Jason says he barely remembers the conversation—he was completely focused on performing CPR—but that support played a critical role in keeping their son stable long enough for paramedics to take over.
This extraordinary moment highlights a powerful truth: immediate CPR, even by someone with minimal training, can sustain life and significantly improve survival outcomes.
A Child Already Facing Medical Challenges
Christopher’s situation was particularly serious due to an underlying genetic condition. When he was just three weeks old, his kidneys failed, and he has been on dialysis since. Despite the family’s experience navigating his medical needs, this crisis was unlike anything they had faced before.
“It was definitely intense,” Jason said. “I was scared, mom was scared, but we had to take the necessary precautions to keep him alive.”
Following the January 23 incident, Christopher has been recovering at Janeway Children’s Hospital. While there were moments of concern early on, he has shown steady improvement in the days since.
A Family’s Gratitude
Jason expressed deep appreciation for everyone involved in saving Christopher’s life:
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Jiffy Cab drivers
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Dispatcher Jay Dunn
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Paramedics who continued resuscitation
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Medical staff at Janeway Children’s Hospital
“If it wasn’t for the way that all of us reacted to the situation, we would be grieving right now,” he said. “From the bottom of our family’s hearts, thank you.”
Why This Story Matters: CPR Saves Lives
This incident reminds us how essential it is for everyday people—not just healthcare professionals—to know CPR. Immediate, confident action can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival during cardiac arrest.
If this story inspires you to get trained, consider enrolling in a certified CPR course.
Calgary First Aid offers high-quality CPR and AED training here:
👉 https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
Be Prepared: Take a CPR and First Aid Course
Emergencies can happen anywhere—at home, on the road, at work, or during an ordinary day. Being trained equips you with the skills and confidence to act swiftly and effectively when it matters most.
Enroll in a certified first aid and CPR course today and learn how to help save a life.
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