While following up on last week’s story, “More than a dozen local sailings missed Sunday due to ‘lack of crew,’” The Beachcomber learned that ferry workers were not the only ones involved in the life-saving efforts for the driver who required CPR.

Islander Kirk Barker, who works for the Vashon Island School District as a para-educator as well as with Vashon Youth & Family Services’ Vashon Kids program, was in the vehicle behind the stricken passenger and was the first on the scene.

Barker said that when the car didn’t move on the afternoon of Sept. 13, he saw a ferry worker tap the hood to get the driver’s attention. When there was no response, he realized something was wrong, got out of his car and went to the driver.

Barker felt for a pulse and, finding none, began CPR, which he had been certified to perform as a work requirement.

Within a few minutes, several ferry workers arrived and took over the resuscitation effort, though Barker said he also provided some guidance for the correct placement of the defibrillator paddles during that process.

Barker was initially reluctant to be named in this story, as he stated that he thought all involved worked hard and made a difference, and he was simply glad to have been able to help. He said that having the CPR training made him feel empowered in a situation where he would have felt helpless otherwise and strongly encouraged everyone to think about getting certified.