BHFD Saves a Life Just in Time for Christmas

Beverly Hills Fire Captain and Paramedic Coordinator Dean M. Viana happened to be at the right place at the right time to assist a man who stopped breathing at a holiday party.

On Dec. 17, 2011, the Victorino Noval Foundation hosted a charity event at Victorino Noval's Beverly Hills home. Off-duty at the time, Viana was in attendance at the event with his wife Samantha and daughter Marcelle.

About an hour after Viana's arrival, musician/song writer/producer Jimmy Ruffin Jr. collapsed to the ground for about a minute. Ruffin looked up, said he was fine, and was assisted back to his feet. He then went into another room for some fresh air where he collapsed a second time, apparently from a seizure. Witnessing the incident was Viana, who sprung into action.

While Ruffin was on the floor, Viana tried to communicate with him and got no response. Ruffin then took three gasping breaths and stopped breathing. Viana instructed security to call 911 and—after confirming that Ruffin was pulseless and apnic—he began CPR without hesitation.

After seven cycles of Compressions-Airway-Breathing (CAB) with assistance from an anesthesiologist physician friend of Noval, Ruffin was handed over to paramedics, who defibrillated his heart three times before reviving him.

"Patient follow-up isn't an option, it's a must," Viana said. "Seeing Jimmy Ruffin Jr. look up at me and say 'Thank you' sent chills down my spine." 

Ruffin told Viana that they are friends for life.

"You're my guardian angel," Ruffin said.

Viana, who is also an executive board member of the Beverly Hills Firemen's Association, owns and operates Celebrity CPR of Beverly Hills, which offers classes in CPR and first aid.                 

"Learn to save a life when seconds really count," Viana said.