A toddler was unresponsive in a taxi with his parents which prompted CPR. A dispatcher with Jiffy Cabs was able to assist the father while performing CPR to save the life of the child.

Saving a life while on the line

Passengers and drivers with Jiffy in St. John’s heard over the radio as Jay Dunn coached a panicked father on how to perform CPR on a 17-month old child. Dunn stated that one of the Jiffy’s drivers used the radio to call in for an ambulance. According to the driver, one of his passengers, a toddler, became unresponsive while in the car with his parents.

Edmonton first aid — He utilized those skills to call out instructions over the radio so CPR can be started such as using 2 fingers for compressions until the arrival of the paramedics.

Dunn called 911 and requested an ambulance and acted as a relay for emergency services and started asking the parents questions.

Time is vital in delivering CPR

Over the radio, Dunn asked if anyone had started CPR on the child. When he was told that no one had, he responded to the driver that they did not have time to wait for the paramedics.

Dunn received basic CPR training when he volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club. He utilized those skills to call out instructions over the radio so CPR can be started such as using 2 fingers for compressions until the arrival of the paramedics. At the point, communication from the scene ended. Dunn sat back and the whole experience washed over him as he burst into tears. As a father, Dunn could not stop thinking what happened.

Later that same day, Dunn received a call at dispatch for a cab at the Health Sciences Centre. The call turned out to be the same father he coached through CPR, calling for a ride home. The father informed Dunn that the toddler is doing much better.

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