It’s just another Monday morning when suddenly someone yells “CALL 911!” You jump to your feet to find that people are gathering around a fellow colleague lying on the floor. Someone asks you if you know CPR. What do you do? 911 is being called, are you still supposed to help?
Well, if you’re Marisa Carvalho from Claims, the answer is “Yes!” because she’s trained to do it. Before joining OneBeacon, Marisa spent five years as an active EMT. And because of her training, she recognized that her coworker did not actually require CPR. After Marisa checked for vital signs and breathing she recognized her colleague was suffering from a seizure. Having helped people in similar situations in the past, Marisa cleared the area and made sure her colleague had a clear airway and was calm. Soon EMT professionals arrived on the scene to help.
When asked why she jumped to action, Marisa said “It was my first reaction to instantly run to where someone might be in trouble. I think it’s in my nature to help, whether it’s in a serious situation or just making someone feel better.” But as a trained EMT, she also says, “Call 911! If you have no training, calling for help can save a life.”
While Marisa Carvalho did something great, she is the first to point out that she wasn’t the only one helping that day. Pandora Cannon and Betsy Leblanc, she says, were the ones to help their Canton colleague move away from the desk area and onto the floor. This simple step made all the difference in the situation, as it prevented further injury and began the process of making the surroundings safe.
Thankfully, the employee involved is doing well and sends gratitude to everyone involved for their fast thinking and obvious care and concern.
To find out more about how to spot the signs of a seizure, click here. To learn the steps to take to help someone suffering from a seizure, click here. To learn what to do in the case of an emergency in the workplace, please refer to the OneBeacon Disaster Policies and Guidelines.