25-year-old Dave Williams went into action on duty as a security employee, providing vital assistance until the paramedics arrived in response to a 999 call.
Williams, also a student nurse at Nottingham Trent University, said: “The man collapsed and said he could not feel his legs. As I was talking to him he lost consciousness and I could not get a response.
“I gave him CPR – just four chest compressions – and it brought him back with a big gasp.”
The customer, a diabetic who had recently had a stroke, was admitted to hospital for treatment before continuing recovery at home after several days.
He thanked Williams through social media and said he “probably saved me.”
An industry hero
The student, who was happy he could help despite not expecting to put his healthcare skills to use that night, has been praised by the chief operating officer at professional security Jason Thorndycraft as a “credit to our industry”.
Thorndycraft said: “We’re very proud of Dave and his quick-thinking actions that night.
“[…] It also demonstrates the support our teams provide to venues goes beyond security and shows the important role they play.”
UK venues are suffering from a growing shortage of bouncers, with one in five night-life and hospitality venues closing or reducing operating hours due to the shortage of security staff, according to the Night Time Industries Association two months ago.
It said the situation has “deteriorated further” as demand continues to soar from customers keen to enjoy a night out following the easing of lockdown measures.
A blow for independent clubs
Rekom UK chief executive Peter Marks told the Press Association the problem had been “building slowly but has become so much worse since the pandemic”.
He said: “It’s been a real struggle at times but we’ve fortunately often been able to push back with security agencies to find the teams we need just in time.
“But even then, on one or two occasions we’ve had to limit numbers into venues because of security levels.
“We are in a particularly strong position though as we can agree to take on staff in larger numbers – this is particularly hitting independent clubs hard.”
