From Bystander to Lifesaver: CPR at the Courthouse
What was expected to be a mundane day of jury duty quickly turned into an extraordinary story that unfolded within the Clark County courthouse.
Join us as we interview a remarkable employee of Performance Occupational Health Services who recently found herself at the center of a life-saving situation.
A few weeks ago, I went into the Clark County courthouse to report for jury duty. After checking in, I waited in the lobby with the other potential jurors. Suddenly, I heard a man yell urgently,
“Is there a doctor or nurse in the building!?”
I walked over to the man and said,
“I’m a Medical Assistant, how can I help?”
He gestured to another man who was slumped over in a chair and told me that this man was having a seizure. When the man’s convulsions ended, he began turning blue – a scary sign that he wasn’t receiving oxygen. I said,
“He’s not breathing; we need to get him on the ground and start CPR.”
Coincidentally, the man who had called for help happened to be an off-duty firefighter. We laid the victim down on the ground and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately. The firefighter took charge of compressions and told the clerk at the courthouse to dial 911. I was handed a barrier device and was able to give rescue breaths. We continued alternating CPR and rescue breaths for about ten minutes.
Another compassionate bystander offered to help; I asked him to look for an automated external defibrillator (AED). When the AED arrived, the firefighter removed the man’s shirt, and I placed the pads on his chest. We delivered two shocks.
When emergency services arrived at the scene, they informed us that our efforts had made a significant impact. Later that day, we were informed by law enforcement officers that the victim was being rushed into surgery and that, thanks to our quick action, he stood a strong chance of survival.
At that moment, I didn’t feel like I had done much. However, I soon learned that people who suffer major cardiac events have a very low rate of survival without immediate intervention. The knowledge that a wife still had her husband, children still had their father, and countless others were spared the pain of loss filled me with a sense of gratitude.
I was also thankful that, one week prior, our staff at Performance Occupational Health Services had undergone our routine CPR training at the clinic. All the life-saving steps were fresh in my mind, and I felt empowered to act. This experience has inspired me to encourage others to learn CPR, First Aid, and the use of an AED. It served as a wake-up call, reminding me that even the smallest acts of assistance can make an immeasurable difference.
My advice to others is simple: jump in and help. Don’t wait for someone else to lead – speak up and take decisive action.
Our colleague’s chance encounter at jury duty serves as a testament to the power of being both prepared and courageous. Our hope is that her story will motivate you to not only learn these life-saving skills, but also to act in a time of need. It’s through these compassionate acts that we can truly make our community a safer and more caring place for all – and who doesn’t want that?
