PORT TOWNSEND — Learning how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation — or CPR — is something that should be at the top of everyone’s “to-do” list, said a local restaurateur who recently put his training to use.
“A lot of people only learn CPR when something happens that they could have prevented,” said SilverSDHpwater Cafe owner David Hero.
“Even then, they can witness an incident and intend to learn CPR, and other stuff happens and they forget.”
On June 23, Hero administered CPR to John Thompson, 85, of Port Townsend, who had choked on his food in the restaurant and lost consciousness.
After the incident, Thompson was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle but died June 24.
Had Hero not administered CPR, Thompson would have died in the restaurant, said CPR instructor Jordan Pollack, who lauded Hero for his fast response, which he said kept the man alive in order for him to get treatment.
Learning CPR can make the difference between life and death, even when someone doesn’t really know what he or she is doing, according to East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman Bill Beezley.
“If someone is having a heart incident and gets CPR right away, it can dramatically increase their chance of survival,” he said.
These are very simple skills that can make a big difference, said Jordan Pollack of Port Townsend, who teaches CPR to businesses and private groups throughout the Northwest.
When the emergency happened in his restaurant, Hero and his staff already had the training and were prepared.
Beezley, who by policy does not disclose the name of a victim, said the incident happened so quickly that the fire department did not know the man’s identity.
Hero never found out the man’s identity, which upset him.
Hero brushed off his involvement, saying it was something that anyone would do while admitting “it is curious that my name is ‘Hero.’”
Obvious move
Training his restaurant staff in emergency response was an obvious move, he said.
“We have around 50,000 people a year come through the restaurant, so there’s a high probability that some sort of emergency will pop up,” he said.
“It makes sense to be trained here, and at all times, there will be someone in the restaurant who knows how to take care of an emergency.”
Pollack provides continuous training to his clients, brushing up on techniques and conducting role-playing exercises until the trainee feels comfortable.
“You are putting someone in a situation they have never faced before, which is unnerving,” he said.
“But if you have them practice enough times and play out all the scenarios, they’ll be fine when something actually happens.”
Hero simplified Pollack’s message:
“You see someone in distress and decide whether to help him or not, but if you don’t help him, he will die.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
