Burns Supper Lifesavers (For a’ That)
On the evening of January 24, 2009 , Colin MacPherson and I piped in the haggis for a Toronto area Legion celebrating Rabbie’s 250th Birthday.
Having attended or played at many a Burns dinner, the most we had on our mind was the yearly dusting off of “A Man’s a Man for a’ That”. Little did we know things were about to take an unbelievable twist.
The evening was going extremely well: our pipes were humming and spot-on together, we had a warm and receptive crowd and the gentleman who gave the Address to the Haggis was fabulous. Colin and I both agreed afterwards that it was the best ode we ever heard. All in the room toasted “To the Haggis”, and threw back our scotch (Drambuie for me, thanks) as is customary.
Then in a moment which I can only describe as surreal, the gentleman who gave The Address, fell backward, stiff as a board, and struck his head on the floor.
As you can imagine, the crowd reacted with shock and disbelief.
Afterwards several people said they thought his collapse was a Pratt fall as that was just his kind of humour. All I remember hearing was Colin say, “Kelly, he’s down!” That was enough to jar me back to reality as we both threw our pipes and ran to his side.
From my 12 years experience as an Registered Nurse he appeared to me to be having a seizure. He was unresponsive and his face, arms and legs were rigid. Colin, who is a trained First Responder through work, called for people to move back and give us some space. I believe he also shouted, “It’s okay, she’s a nurse and she knows what she is doing!” I was really hoping I did, but you never know how you will react until you are in the moment. R.N. or not, I would be glad when EMS arrived.
When the gentleman stopped seizing, it was evident that he was having difficulty breathing and his pulse was weak. I put him in recovery position and then tried to re-acquire his pulse. A few seconds later Colin said “his face is turning blue” and I replied “I can’t get a pulse”. We quickly flipped him on his back and started CPR: Colin doing the chest compressions and me doing the breathing.
The compressions actually brought a pinkish hue back to his face but we both knew that CPR only keeps blood circulating until EMS arrives with the defibrillator. CPR doesn’t usually get the heart beating again, the defibrillator does. CPR buys the victim some time: seconds and minutes count.
By now someone across the room started shouting instructions from the 911 operator. The first thing they said was “Stop doing CPR, check to see if he is choking”. Colin and I looked at each other stunned, not quite understanding what we heard. I shouted back “We are so beyond that! He’s not choking, he isn’t breathing and has no pulse!” They I shouted back “keep doing CPR, until EMS gets there. Do 600 compressions”. We weren’t about to count compressions but there was no way we were stopping.
In critical situations, the perception of time is warped and expanded and it seemed like forever before Toronto Fire and EMS arrived. Someone told us later that it was only seven minutes until EMS arrived and 9 before he was defibrillated.
When EMS arrived they relieved Colin and I and began to work on him. As we stood watching all I could think was, “I hope he doesn’t die here in front of his wife and all his friends.” Looking around the room, I saw many grave and pale faces. People had their arms around each other and many people were saying silent prayers. I was relieved to see that several people were comforting the gentleman’s wife.
The few minutes before the defibrillator was ready felt like forever. The device itself actually speaks and we could hear it giving directions…”charging, clear, clear, clear, all hands off, beep, beep”…Wham-mo (well that’s my word for it).
After a while we could hear the firemen and EMS say we’ve got a heartbeat…he’s starting to breath on his own. The 100 or so people in the room collectively sighed, hugged each other and cried. When they transported him to hospital, he remained unconscious but his heart was beating and he was breathing on his own.
A week later, messages from his family inform us that he remains in hospital and is conscious and stable. He apparently suffered a massive heart attack but brain scans reveal that there was no damage due to anoxia. Whew!
Upon reflection, I learned a few things about people and myself. I learned that the positive outcome was a testament to what CPR training can do. I learned that it is difficult and strange to accept praise and thanks for these kind of actions because if you have the ability, you just react and don’t consciously choose. I learned about my friend Colin and how his innate qualities of being a man-of-action and natural-born leader, make him a good guy to have beside you in a crunch. On a personal level, I learned that I can function calmly in a crisis and although I may not have acted perfectly, it was good enough.
Kelly Crowe & Colin MacPherson
Toronto Police Pipe Band
Tags: address to a haggis, bagpipe heroes, colin macpherson, kelly crowe, robert burns, Toronto EMS, Toronto Fire, TPPB
Author: MajorWeb
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
An amazing story. Great work guys. M
February 2nd, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Well done Kelly & Colin! A Man’s a Man AND a Woman’s a Woman For a’ That too! – Brian
February 2nd, 2009 at 6:32 pm
You should add “heroes” to the list of tag words
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:05 am
Congratulations on quick thinking and action. I just finished updating my CPR training and know how tiring those compressions can be. I hope everyone who reads your inspirational story signs up for a CPR and first aid course. It REALLY can save someone’s life….and I hope I never have to do it!
You’re both heroes!
Jen Moore
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:31 am
Wow…You two sure made that man’s night. I’m glad you were there to spread around a bit of “hero help”
February 5th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Kelly and Colin: I am the Sergeant-at-Arms at Branch 66 where this life-saving heroic actions took place. I have been visiting this gentleman every day since the incident. You will be happy to know that he is doing very well, thanks to both of you. Without the CPR, the doctors said this gentleman would not be alive today! I am in constant contact with the family and they are very grateful that you were there at the time to keep him here with the provision of the CPR. As this gentleman is also a member of the Colour Party, Branch 66, and he is a good friend of mine also, I would like to commend both of you for the fast action you took. You are both heroes in the eyes of all who know this gentleman and the Branch. The Branch will be embarking on the efforts to have a defibrillator present at the Branch. There should be more people like you two, coming to the aid of a person in trouble! The gentleman owes his life to you two!
February 6th, 2009 at 7:50 am
Hello Walter, thank-you so much for the update. Please pass along my best wishes to the gentleman and his family.
For me, hearing that he is doing so well and that you are buying a defibrillator is the best news of all.
Do you know if many other Legions have made this move? Perhaps the Legion could also bring in someone to teach members CPR right on site. I also wonder if this is something you could take to your area/zone meetings for consideration for other Legions out there?
February 6th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Hi Kelly,some of the legions have had defibrillators donated to them, others have bought them.I have been after the branch for a long time to get one,what happened on the 24th put it front and center!!!!!!!! I will be pushing the executive of the branch for this, as well as CPR training.I am only one member of the executive. I brought this forward at our General Meeting on Thursday and it will be discussed on Tuesday at the Executive Meeting and I know this time it will be passed for obtaining a defibrillator. This issue was also raised at a zone meeting some months ago and I will be raising it again at our next zone meeting. I am going to see the gentleman involved this evening and will pass on your good wishes.
Walter (Walt)
February 7th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Dear Kelly and Colin, I am the daughter of the gentleman who’s life you saved. My mum called me at home when my dad collapsed to the floor at the legion. She told me that 2 people were performing CPR and she was obviously very upset and scared. I could hear the panic in her voice as she passed the phone to a friend to give me more details. I jumped in my car and headed towards the legion, then the hospital not knowing what I would find. My mum and Walter had just arrived, my dad was being attended to by ER doctor and staff. When we finally got to see my dad and speak with doctor, things were not looking good. I can tell you what the ER doctor told us (as have several doctors since) that you both saved my dads life. If you had not started CPR when you did the outcome would be very different just now. He would of not survived, or survived with severe brain damage. There is no doubt in my mind that you both saved his life, and for that we will be forever grateful. Words cannot properly express our feelings, but I hope to thank you both in person one day soon.
My sister, Lorraine and her children (Nicola and Gordon)arrived from BC by 6am on the Sunday following the incident. We were still unsure what the outcome would be for my dad at that point. He spent the next week in the ICU. He is now doing well in the cardiology unit. DR’s and nurses are amazed at his progress. They should know, you cannot keep a good Scot down!!
On behalf of myself, mum, sister, and his 4 grandchildren, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Annette
February 7th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Kelly and Colin, I am brother inlaw to the man whose life you saved at the Burns night celebration, and like the rest of the family I would like to thank you for the tremendous effort that you both made,to all intents and purposes he is on the way to recovery, the other Irony is that I am the Pipe Major of a Band on the West Coast, and also the the Pipe Repair shop for BC, so once again from this end of the Country we would like to say thank you, Mike McDonald
February 7th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Kelly and Colin, I am the eldest grandchild to the gentleman who’s life you saved. There will never be any words that I or my family could express to show the gratefuliness, graditude and appreciation for your presence at Branch 66 Burns celebration. Your willingness to assist in a crisis not only saved the life of one gentleman, but the lives of all of us who would be lost without him. You have saved one of the most important men in my life and for this I will be forever in your debt,
All the best and many Thanks,
Nicola.
February 8th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Good Morning Kelly.
Your dad and I are so very proud of you. Last Tuesday I mentioned your experience to my Sweet Adeline Chorus. They were totally impressed and our Director Maureen asked if anyone in the chorus had CPR training. Almost half of the ladies raised their hands so that made us feel safer. All the best and keep up the good work.
Love to both you and Colin
Mom and Dad Crowe
February 8th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Kelly And Colin,I am the oldest grandson to the gentleman who’s life you saved at the Burns celebration. I too would like to thank you both from the bottom of my heart for your heroic actions you both took to save my grandfathers life. I could not image a world without him here. My grandfather still has so much to do in life and because of you he can. Like my sister said he is a very important part of our lives and now he continues to be because of the two of you. I will never forget that night or the names of the two heroes who saved his life. Colin and Kelly will always remain heroes in the eyes of my family and I.
Thank you both very much.
Gordon.
February 8th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
my name is tom walsh and I am a colleage of larry giffin as we are both in the same colour party
I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks for the marvelous work that colin and kelly performed on that fateful night without their wonderful expertise I am sure the result would have been total heartbreak for their family once again from all the members of branch 66 colour party and comrades of the branch thanks from all of us
yours tom walsh
1st vice president branch 66 royal canadian legion
February 10th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Hi, Kelly & Colin.
Having been agnuished over the sad news of my uncles ill health, this has had such an impact on the whole family, I’m so delighted that you guys were there, in the right place at the right time you knew what to do and you did it so well.
My parents Ian and Theresa are very gratefull to you both, as are Jacqueline, Derek, Gary, and extended family.
From the family: we would like to offer thanks to the friends of “Auntie Net” and “Uncle Lawrence” who are offering them huge support. The Brown Family Scotland XXX
February 10th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
I just wanted to let everyone know that we have read your all of your comments and appreciate your good wishes…my Mom is good at keeping me informed when you write! Thanks for reaching out to us, it is very kind of you all.
Warm Regards,
Kelly and Colin
February 10th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Hi Kelly,We had an executive meeting last night and you will be happy to know that the executive of Branch 66 passed the purchase of a defibrillator and CPR training.I have been put in charge of looking after this as a member of the executive. I would like to discuss this further with you and colin if possible,can you please contact me through my e-mail address which I believe you have.
Yours in Comradeship
Walter Vaughan
Sgt. at Arms
Youth Education Chairman
Branch 66
February 11th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
No problem Walter, I’m glad to hear it…I’ll pass some information through Colin.
February 12th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I am one of the many nephews of the gentleman you saved. Our family cannot thank you enough for saving his life. Aunt Janet and Uncle Lawrence are “simply the best” and I wish uncle a speedy recovery.
My brother David also sends his thanks and gratitude for all that has been done for him.
Love from John, Geraldine, Rachel, Stephanie and Victoria.
February 18th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I have just now read the accounts of my sister of the efforts that she and Colin performed that evening beyond the skirl of the pipes and toasts.
I have read the acknowledgements and praises towards Kelly and Colin. I too am a nurse and have performed CPR and know from personal experience that not all outcomes are as positive as this. I encourage everyone who has been touched by this event,to tell their friends, relatrives and neighbours this story and its happy end and promote the need for all people, young and old, to become educated in CPR and first aid.
I hope the gentleman has recovered, has returned home and is in the care of his obviously loving family as I write this wee note.
In closing, I would also like to publically state that I am very proud of Kelly, my sister and of Colin for acting quickly and decisively in this crisis situation.
Regards and best wishes to all,
Patrick Crowe