Home Contra Costa County BART Employee Revives Rider, Credited With Saving Life

BART Employee Revives Rider, Credited With Saving Life

by ECT

About 15 minutes after midnight on Monday, October 29, 2018, Vincent Seals, a BART train car cleaner, heard a co-worker calling for help from the platform at the Dublin/Pleasanton Station. He ran toward her and she pointed him to the lead car of a train that had just finished its run for the night.

Seals found a young man slumped over in a seat, not moving. He recalls, “I checked for a pulse. I didn’t feel one so I put my ear to his mouth to see if I could hear or feel his breath and I couldn’t. His lips had already turned blue at that point so I picked him up and laid him on the floor (of the car) to start CPR.”

Seals began administering chest compressions. After a few minutes, he got a faint pulse, but it quickly faded. Seals started CPR again and the young man soon came to with a deep breath.

“I just told him ‘You’ve got to breathe’ and ‘listen to my voice.’ I was trying to coach him through it,” says Seals. At this time, a BART Police officer arrived. She waved an ammonia inhalant ampule (smelling salts in lay terms) under the man’s nose while Seals massaged his sternum, but the man soon lost consciousness again.

Seals continued massaging while the officer used a CPR mask to give rescue breaths. The young man once again “came to” as paramedics arrived. He was conscious and breathing as they left to transport him to the hospital.

Seals’ career with BART as an end of the line cleaner began just this past January. He had been taught CPR at a previous job as a requirement for a supervisorial position. He says this is the first time he had ever used those skills outside of his CPR training.

“This was never something I would have expected on the job at BART. I was glad to have the opportunity to be there to help save his life.” Seals believes it was fate that he was there that day. “It was my regular day off. I usually work at the Millbrae Station. I decided to pick up the extra shift at Dublin/Pleasanton. I was supposed to be there at that time.”

BART police say the young man turned 20 on Sunday, the day before he and Seals’ paths crossed on that BART train.

Information provided by BART

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5 comments

Christy Nov 2, 2018 - 5:01 pm

Mr. Seals, Not many would have done what you did. There are always stories of no one getting involved. You stepped up to the plate. You are a remarkable young man.

Lisa Nov 2, 2018 - 8:07 pm

To one awesome kind unselfish human being, thank you for having the love of compassion in your heart. We need many more like you. I pray I would do what you did in that situation. Good bless you

M Nov 3, 2018 - 11:20 am

Great Job Mr. Seals! Heroic actions for sure!!!!

Alise Henderson Nov 5, 2018 - 8:48 am

So glad Mr.Seals that you took that extra day of hours.timing was everything and so glad you were at that station to administer CPR.Blessings to you Lil Brother you are appreviated.Happy Belated Bithday as well. Your Birthday is the day after Mines. God Bless and you should be honored by bart for your quick and consistent effort to help this person that was in distressed on that day. Have a great Blessed Day!!?????

Alise Henderson Nov 5, 2018 - 8:56 am

Thank you fo taking that extra day of hours. Mr.Seals if it wasnt for you that youngman wouldnt had a chance to breathe again.i salute you for your Cpr Training. Timing was everything and i Thank you for your Heroic efforts.Happy belated Birthday as well. Your birthday is one day after mines October 29th. God Bless You Brother i sakute you and Bart needs to honor you for your quick thinking of helping to save this mans life.

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