Nas Rafi is a doctor from California. She is hugging a stuffed bear in Gastown.
Photo courtesy of The Vancouver Sun
Adapted from The Vancouver Sun by Nila Gopaul
and The Westcoast Reader, October 2012 – includes a crossword puzzle
Illustrations – Nola Johnston
California tourist saves B.C. cyclist
Level 2
Nas Rafi is a doctor from California.
In July 2012, she visited Vancouver.
Like many tourists to the city,
Rafi walked around Gastown.
It seemed like most days.
It was quiet and peaceful.
But suddenly, Rafi heard
her aunt and cousin scream.
An accident
A cyclist was injured.
Blood was everywhere.
The cyclist was face down.
And the tire of a car
was against her neck and head.
Rafi helps
Rafi ran over to the woman.
She got down beside her.
The vehicle moved back.
A crowd gathered.
“Don’t touch her!” people yelled.
They were worried Rafi would hurt the woman.
“I’m a doctor,” said Rafi.
The cyclist’s face was blue.
She was not breathing.
Rafi had to do something.
She was worried that the woman would die.
Remembering what she learned
The new doctor remembered
what she learned in the emergency room.
The cyclist’s jaw was closed.
It took some time, but Rafi put her fingers
between the cyclist’s teeth.
The woman’s tongue was blocking her airway.
Rafi pulled the woman’s tongue,
and then lifted her jaw.
The woman began to breathe again.
More help arrives
Soon, an ambulance arrived.
Rafi never treated anyone
outside an emergency room.
This was her first time.
“It was a pretty amazing experience,” she said.
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