The quick-thinking by London Drugs staff saved the life of an overdose victim. Naloxone has been an essential tool in fighting the opioid epidemic. Courtenay London Drugs pharmacy manager Tara Oxford experienced the life-saving power of naloxone after administering a shot to a customer who overdosed inside the store.
Prompt action for an overdose case
At the time of the incident, it was intense but she was calm. Everybody had a good understanding of what they had to do.
A 24-year old man asked to use the public washroom of the store and did not reappear. After 40 minutes and repeated failed attempts by staff to get his attention, store manager Adam Fraser opened the door using an emergency key. The man was found slumped over on the toilet seat and unresponsive. He was surrounded by drug paraphernalia and was pale blue and barely breathing.
The London Drugs staff quickly jumped into crisis mode by calling 911, cordoning off the area, performing CPR and notifying Oxford to administer a naloxone injection. After gathering her supplies and running to the scene to inject the life-saving drug, the medication quickly took effect.
After giving the shot, his color returned quickly. He started to come around and by the time the paramedics arrived and gave him oxygen, he turned pink again and walked straight to the stretcher.
After treatment at North Island Hospital, the young man was released and later returned to London Drugs that evening to thank the staff for saving his life.
Importance of first aid training
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) can save a life. Prompt delivery of life-saving techniques improves the chances of survival during emergencies.
For more information about this story, click here.
LEARN MORE
Learn how to help by enrolling in first aid and CPR class and for more information, check out these sources: