A trucker who saved the life of the man who was working on his truck is being hailed as a hero.
Douglas Brown, a driver for Action Specialized, was back at his company yard to get new decals applied to his truck. While an unnamed man and his son were working on the truck, Brown stepped inside the office to talk to dispatch. A short time later, someone rushed in and yelled to call 911.
When Brown ran outside to help, he saw that the man who had just been applying the decals was on the ground, his son standing over him. The man had suffered a heart attack and wasn’t moving.
“I could see that he was turning blue,” Brown told TCA. “His eyes were open, but he wasn’t there. I put my hand under his nose, but couldn’t feel any air.”
When Brown opened his mouth to check for an obstruction to the airway, he noticed a large wad of chewing tobacco. Brown gave the man mouth-to-mouth until the airway was clear. Once it was, he continued CPR for between 15-20 minutes.
After that time, finally, another CPR-trained individual, a former fire fighter turned trucker, showed up to help. Together, they kept CPR going in shifts until the ambulance arrived.
“His son came back a couple days later and finished doing the decals on my truck,” recalled Brown. “I was happy to hear that his father is just fine.”
Well done, driver!
Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death. You can visit the Red Cross website to take a class online, or find a class near you where you can become CPR certified. You might end up saving a life! And since a large portion of heart attack victims have at least one family member nearby when a heart attack strikes, the life you save might be that of a loved one!
Dang! A+ for teamwork and fast response!
CPR is a great, life-long skill to learn, and anyone helping is cover by the good sanitarian act. Good job drivers, as this man would most certainly be 6 ft. under if not for your help!
I think every trucking company needs to have these classes available for all of their drivers. We cannot plan on where or when it may be needed and drivers need to be able to respond quickly. We are many times the first on a scene and seconds count in situations like this.
I agree with mousekiller!! All drivers should have some EMT training- my sister is an EMT in central Missouri & I couldn’t be prouder of her for the folks she’s helped. CPR, mouth to mouth, how to care for someone going into shock. Important!!!!! Prayers to that driver and the man HE saved