Last weekend I watched a bouncer carry a drunk 90pd girl out of the bar, and then he proceeded to push her to the ground. She smashed her head on the pavement and busted her head open. BLOOD EVERYWHERE. The best part was everyone standing around staring while the girl bled. If they’re going to constantly be beating on people down town, they should at least be taught first aid because this bouncer didn’t have a clue what to do just stood there apologizing like an idiot. Thank god I was there to take control of the situation, administer first aid and call 911.
—life saver
This article appears in Oct 22-28, 2009.


Lawsuit!
Its not their job to be trained in first aid as their job doesn’t revolve around it. Their duty is to maintain order inside of an establishment and that guests (thats right, you don’t own the place) don’t act like complete twits.
The 90lbs. girl should not have possibly drank herself to the level that she’d need to be carried out in the first place! Don’t blame the bouncer b/c he doesn’t know FA, again its not his job to. Once an ejected patron is outside the establishment doors, its no longer the establishment’s or bouncers’ concern.
Good for you, OP, being there to assist. I think you made this bitch to make yourself look more like a “hero” (which you’re really not) and not to fully bitch about bouncers. Certainly, they’re not perfect but they’re sober, doing a thankless job and basically babysitting patrons nowadays. If you think you can do a better job, please apply at a bar and do it for one night.
It will save you some money, no hangover AND you may be able to be a hero and carry a passed-out drunken waif so administer CPR on.
Nice Goin’ Fat,
If one day this happens to a member of your family – sister, niece, etc.. I hope you are around for it.
Then you can explain your theory to the rest of the family members while you’re all at the hospital waiting for head injury results that what happen was her fault, right?
“The 90lbs. girl should not have possibly drank herself to the level that she’d need to be carried out in the first place! Don’t blame the bouncer b/c he doesn’t know FA, again its not his job to. Once an ejected patron is outside the establishment doors, its no longer the establishment’s or bouncers’ concern.”
Considering the aggressive nature of their job, how in the fuck can you say it wouldn’t be of benefit for bouncers to know first aid? Or maybe you didn’t think of that either.
Your attitude is so naive / uneducated, it’s embarrassing. I know you’re trying to talk tough shit on the internet, but really?
Bouncer vs 90lb intoxicated female.
Think about that again.
Patiently awaiting your justification of your post…
hali:
all you did was go off with accusations and hypotheticals which merely made my dick tickle. I’m not trying to talk tough on the Internet and think you’re confused with yourself.
I am very well educated and my education is probably much superior to yours, but thats not the case here. The case is: I have been a bouncer for several years in my work history and know its a very thankless job. Also, it is NOT aggressive in nature so your assumption is moot as you obviously know nothing about being a bouncer. Have you ever been one? Its doubtful. Have YOU ever had run-ins with them? Sounds like it.
It truely is not a bouncer’s job to know first aid as their priorities are maintaining order within the establishment. That is fact. Honestly, there is no time to take out of your job of monitoring the area and your surroundings to take a passed-out patron to get fixed up. There’s no nurses’ office inside the Dome or Palace or Refs, kiddo, as they’re not institutions. If it were to be a bouncer’s duty to know first aid, then its an initiative of the AGCNS and not the establishment. You could go speak to liquor reps at the AGCNS if you’d like but I doubt you will.
About my family: most people in my family know how to act when going to bars and won’t drink themselves into a state of unconsciousness or incapacitation. Maybe I’m just being hypothetical as you are, but its never happened. I don’t think it ever will either.
Perhaps the bouncer “dropped” the woman. I don’t know specifics and neither do you but an accident could have happened. Nobody is perfect. Bouncers aren’t pricks by nature and will attempt to make every patron’s experience an enjoyable one, but its fact that they get annoyed and lose patience with some people. Imagine being surrounded by 300-600 drunk kids (while sober and working) and the headache you could get from it. Bet you never thought of that.
A bar is meant to be an establishment to have a drink, have some fun and maybe shake your ass. Its NOT meant to be a place to get so tanked that you’re passing out, are being removed by staff or falling-down-drunk all over the place. If I were still a bouncer and saw that, I’d remove the person too.
Patience is a virtue, grasshopper; use it before trying to upstage ol’ NGF next time 😉
Unfortunately, bouncers ARE often pricks.
How many times have you been made to stand in a line out in the cold while the bouncer refused to let anyone in. Or, let them in painfully slowly. Only to get in the bar and realize it is frickin’ empty!!! Yeah, they’re trying to pump up the line so the place looks popular to people passing by. Doesn’t mean it isn’t a douche thing to do.
I once stood in a line for over half an hour in -20 weather in Calgary for a bar. When I finally got in, I found – empty friggin bar. Despite that I had been made to wait for so long.
Now I know it is MY CHOICE to stand in a bar lineup or leave – that doesn’t make the bouncer’s behaviour any less rude.
Fact is, there are good ones and bad ones. Kind of like the bus drivers people are always on about. But some of the bad ones, are REALLY BAD. They are antisocial meatheads on powertrips thinking they run the downtown and can be rude to, disrespect and even physically assault anybody they please. After all, they ARE the bouncer so they have a carte blanche to just pound on any drunk asshole they like because they know nobody will do anything about it. Doesnt mean its right.
Oh and I have never been a bouncer, but I have bartended in a busy bar/club.
Wow, NGF, I gotta disagree with just about everything you’ve just said.
The only thing you’re actually right about is how shitty the job is. Everyone understands this. We all know the money’s sucks and keeping drunks in line WOULD be a nightmare. So why would anyone do it, if they had any other options?
Simple: bouncers are pricks by nature. The bigger the club, the bigger the prick. You’re delusional if you think otherwise. Bouncers are rent-a-cops wearing black instead of blue. The “profession” attracts muscleheaded douchebags like shit does flies because it allows them to flex their tiny nuts in front of pretty women and they get a rush off that.
Pound the face off a hammered 120lb guy? Awesome. Let some 19 year old sluts bypass the queue? Oh yeah, here we go.
Bouncing isn’t aggressive? Maintaining order and removing drunken/rowdy patrons (by force, if necessary) DEMANDS aggressive behaviour. Nobody’s taking a bouncer seriously otherwise. The problem is that power corrupts and your average club exemplifies this every Saturday night.
Every workplace from Wendy’s to the mayor’s office requires someone on staff to know First Aid/CPR. Why the fuck shouldn’t bouncers be required to as well, especially considering they’re inflicting a hell of a lot more damage than the average member of the public.
If the OP actually administered first aid and prevented this person’s injuries from worsening, AND called 911 while the bouncer stood there like the fuckhead they probably are, then they should be commended for their actions.
Thank you NGF for reiterating everything I already knew and disliked about bouncers. You do your brotherhood proud.
wrt your being made to wait outside: I doubt that bouncers have any stake in making the club they work appear to be popular, so they probably get their orders from their boss… thus, not their fault.
While I don’t think that bouncers should be on the hook for playing nurse to every Pukey McPukerson drunk-face that they eject from the bar, it certainly couldn’t hurt to have at least one person trained in first aid / CPR for the sake of keeping the club safe and orderly. Should there be a serious medical incident, why shouldn’t the guys who have to stay sober also be able to respond in case of an emergency?
My experiences with bouncers have been pretty good. I got kicked out once for being so drunk I fell asleep on the stairs at reflections (good job, me!) but they were pretty polite about it. Once a bouncer helped me jump the bathroom line so I could puke… and then she didn’t even bounce me, which was sort of ridiculous. And they’ve been there when I needed them, bouncing this crazy woman who wanted to fight me (apparently I looked at her funny). Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that, usually, if you don’t provoke them, bouncers will get your back. They have a pretty shitty job, if you ask me, so we should probably try to have some respect.
yeah you are wrong again Fat…Canadian Statute law states that proprietors of an establishment(including their employees are responsible for the safety to the point where they are at home. This means…if a bouncer THROWS/DROPS/INJURES a person attending said establishment….they are responsible as per Canadian Statute LAW…..again you prove that you arent as educated and well versed as you say….halifax bar bouncers are for the most part pricks…ive seen people being completely reasonable and trying to talk sense into a bartender(im a non drinker by the way) and the bouncer was a total ass clown to the people. IE i want me coat….no you cant have your coat…fuck that asshole!! You say KAY is full of shit by the way NGF…but ive seen more than enough tripe come out your cakehole for months now to know you are right up there too.
sorry meant to say bouncer not bartender.
mrman – how many times have you been removed? you sound like those angry kids who believe they own establishments, get kicked out for being a dickface and then blame the bouncers for doing their jobs.
fact: bouncers are NOT pricks by nature.
I worked at the infamous New Palace Nightclub in 2003 and I was (no joke) known as “the nice guy bouncer” as I treated patrons with respect, never choked or punched anyone, did my job to my abilities and never took a shot from anybody. Instead, I had little mouthy pricks (probably like yourself) try and tell me how to do my job. I didn’t get angry or upset or threaten them but merely ignored them. If they persisted to get in my face, I told them I am able to remove them and the situation was quickly resolved.
Honestly, I appreciate anybody who has issues with authority as I’m someone who is similar. However, when there are rules and guidelines to follow – and on private property – a little bit of respect goes a LONG way. Its something you should learn.
I’ve been to many establishments in this city and have done my share of dumb shit from toking in bathrooms to doing narcotics in front of bar staff. Numerous times I’ve questioned bouncers about certain things and discovered that they’re usually happy to explain themselves or the establishment’s position on things. Like I said, a little respect goes a long way.
Bouncers aren’t there to babysit you or take your shit.
When I did it as a job, I had idiots throwing empty (and sometimes full) bottles on the dancefloor and becoming insulted when they were asked to leave (yes, asked). Instead of beating the crap out of them, we merely explained that they can walk out with us or be removed by police. In the end, no blood was shed and nobody was hurt.
So please, recognize that a bar is not your personal playground or jungle gym. If you do decide to act like an immature little child, please expect to be treated as one and sent home to your room to think about what you did.
and westcoastkid – did you even think that the door staff were given orders not to let people in? in my experience, bouncers don’t call the shots but the managers do instead. if its too cold, dress warmer.
Cuja – are you a lawyer? a judge? even a law student? you’re a very good story teller.
The patron has to prove “intent” and a bar is private property. Nobody invited you, as a patron, to the establishment and when you do enter, you enter at your own risk. Just as you enter any location at your own risk!
Its your right to say I’m full of shit, but your arguments to say I am are very weak and you like to merely think you’re smart. And you probably think you’re smarter than most on a message board, which is both cute and amusing. Good job 🙂
Accidents can and do happen. They happen everywhere and anywhere.
I’m curious if you can cite any landmark cases in Canadian history where patrons won very major decisions over bouncers and bar staff. Certainly there’s a lot of incidents that have happened in our very large country and in its history. Lets see how enlightened you are, chief
Your attraction to me is making me blush also.
ass clown?
wow, that is so WCW 1997.
Cuja, then if the employer is an outsourced security firm, that would make them exempt, as they are not directly employed by the establishment. It’s a real hazardous gray area. I agree that they should have some sort of first aid training, but it’s sometimes not so cut and dry. You know what though, if the person was that drunk, perhaps they deserve to be tossed out. I’ve had plenty of times where I’ve been stark raving drunk, and I knew that I was too drunk, and went home. Perhaps this 90 pound waif needed a good whack on the head to realize she can’t down tequila shooters all night and then mouth off like she’s the queen of bloody Hollis St. to the 250 pound Hulk tossing her out. There’s something to be said about self-control too. Perhaps she fell, after being let go. Not to mention too, the idiots waiting in line to get into the bar should bear some responsibility, no one came to her aid? Please… I really think we’re missing half the story.
nice going, i believe you need to bone up on some things….ie business/statute law. i do have a post secondary education on the subject and it was very interesting stuff. as for becoming business lawyer, well i felt the call of the country a little more rewarding to be honest. and there have been several cases within canada, including two that we did case studies in toronto where due diligence was not followed by the bar owner/staff in order to maintain a patrons safety…including physical contact resulting in injury. just because it doesnt happen OFTEN…doesnt mean it doesnt happen.
oh and this is the best example i have, my uncle who owns a bar, and several franchise restaurants in Niagara falls ON. well one of his bouncers threw a guy over the side of a railing…his place was shut down for 30 days pending an investigation of the incident and then fined and had to pay through insurance after a suit was filed against him. so yes it is the responsibility of the bar to maintain patron safety, no matter what way you try and spin it.
Was the bouncer employed by an outsourced firm?
Dr, im sure you are correct about outsourcing, but i highly doubt that in the case of a club in halifax that that situation is present. Fat i dont need to be as smart as you want me to be, i just need to be smarter than you. ive given you a personal example, a couple from my education, and i honestly do not need to justify myself further. Every time you post something its either pull out the race card…or something totally insane. Thats my humble opinion, but it is funny because you say the same thing about kay. im no fan of kay mind you but you come up with some way out stuff with no actual backup…its just fluff. peace!
Cuja – business people think they’re the smartest people on the planet so thanks for laying out your virtual CV and demonstrating that you only think in terms of “business admin.” and nothing more. Point is, you don’t know everything; in fact, you don’t seem to know shit. Instead you’re just talking and attempting to sound smart. Next you’ll be trying to use Karma like its a term you invented.
About law – nice try. But until you actually take some law courses, please don’t try and sound like you’re a lawyer, law student or someone who works in the field. Like I said, you’re a good storyteller.
Fever – good paragraph!
actually i am a electronics person, you know circuitry, higher order math kinda stuff now fat…as are my compatriots. as for some background if you need to, my father is a deputy chief of police, my uncle graham is a crown attourney as is his wife. my mother is an insurance lawsuit advisor, my step mother is part of child welfare services of canada, specifically niagara regional chair. so ive got a pretty good background, hence going for business law. but like i said, i went another route and found electronics and all the design stuff far more fascinating. OH and im a total history buff too, i love anything to do with politics/military history. Poems im not great at but can appreciate it, and have a fine eye(but no talent) for good art. so honestly im pretty rounded…and believe me if i was there at the bar id be making a witness statement to the effect that the bouncer assaulted the young woman. and i would show up for court. hope that clears up the picture a bit for you Fat. i am white too by the way if it makes you feel better.
what has karma got anything to do with it. i dont believe in karma. i believe in right and wrong…and this bouncer was, and you are as well, wrong. thats the end of story. theres no ifs ands or buts about it. the bouncer caused injury to the woman….whether she was unconscious or whatever state she was in when the bouncer decided to manhandle her and injure her, its not the point and no right minded person in the world sitting during a trial would agree with you. THE BOUNCER caused injury…there were witnesses…including the OP. Sorry man but thats statute law right there…and criminal law as well. lawsuit is right and completely justifiable. whether the person who suffered the injury follows through thats her descision but its the right one.
Are you still trying to make a point? Give it up; NGF spanked you.
Cuja, then you really need to take a lesson in how bars run. Often, bars outsource the security, and that’s where the issue comes from. Secondly, civil litigation does not set precedent for criminal proceedings, and the burden of truth is completely different. Citing a insurance settlement to prove a criminal case, as this would fall under, is doing nothing to your argument, as it’s a different set of laws.
Some people are pricks. Some pricks happen to be bouncers. All bouncers are not pricks, just like all people aren’t. I’ve slogged through bars in 3 countries over the last ten years and I’ve met one, count it, one asshole of a bouncer. You just hear about them, and not the nice ones. Seriously, who gushes about the sweetheart of security who took care of your drunk ass at the bar? No, we hear about the dumbasses who push people too hard.
As far as I’m concerned, bouncers/doorpersons, who act as security, should be licenced with the Dept of Justice as is every other Security Guard out there.
My only bad experince comes from about 20 years or so ago at the Palace.
I waited in line, paid my cover, and as I was walking in, one of the fine young gentlemen grabbed me by the throat with both hands and lifted me off the ground.
As I thrashed around a bit, I heard the coat-check girl say, “Not him, the other guy”
Released I fell to the ground to laughs of his cohorts. What sport!
I treat bouncers like I treat Pit-Bulls, I stay as far away as possible.
Bro Tim: I agree. They should at least have some sort of certification/training. I used to work for a local security company which is now nation wide way back when I was a dumb 19 year old (as opposed to a semi-dumb 29 year old now) and I had ZERO training. Essentially I was just a material witness. I couldn’t actually DO anything. But that’s not the case for all security personnel. The laws are far too flimsy and unclear.
Good points Bro and NW. Just wondering though, would it be somewhat counter-productive? The turn-over rate for bouncers can be pretty high so training a new person daily (or weekly) can consume time, expenses and other resources.
When I worked at the Palace it was for three weeks only. In those three weeks, I saw two-three more bouncers hired in the mean time. When I quit, I was replaced the same day and met my replacement the night I stopped in to pick up my ROE and sign off for good. All within 24 hours.
dr, if you think that a physical assault, is not a criminal offense you must have your head in the clouds, i said, in my statement that the person has grounds for criminal charges as well as a civil lawsuit. i didnt think i mixed the two and if i did, i appologize.
lol okay NGF…you are on the level of Kay right now, your arch nemesis. you have no point, are wrong, and just spouting bs now lol…typical of your style lol. sorry i couldnt respond, i have to work. i dont sit around all day on a computer looking to post against kay like you do fella.
Check again. An owner or anyone under their authority (Bouncer/security) may use as much force as necessary to remove someone from their premises, Sec 41(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Now if someone wants to try an excessive force suit, more power to them, but be warned, what you may think is excessive may not be excessive at all. It is up to you to prove the facts of the case.
Cuja:
I am more than happy to autograph a LTTWB print from the most recent ‘The Coast’ for you and followers. You’re actually kinda cute =)
maybe these people that get to drunk and bouncers are assholes for beating a drunk person ( easy pickins ) , should come back and meet them in the parking lot nice and sober and give them a beating . Other then that – keep in mind bouncers mostly are assholes on roids with nothing better to do then take a bouncing job right after they fail police academy/corrections school. Paybacks a bitch and noones above being paid back .
“When I worked at the Palace”
Nice Goin Fat: now it all makes sense. lol
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