There Were no Good Samaritans: Perform CPR in Strange Places
This article discusses how nurses and other individuals, not just health care workers can save lives no matter where they are located. It gave examples of how two graduate nurses attempted to perform CPR on an unresponsive victim while riding on a New York City train from downtown Manhattan to the Bronx. A similar incident also occurred on an air flight and one of the same nurses who was on the train was prepared to take action again just like a soldier.
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This incident occurred many years ago when I lived in New York City. I resided in the Bronx and was actually preparing for the state board examination (NCLEX) so I attended a review course with my friend. The course lasted for one solid week, therefore every day my friend and myself rode the train to down town Manhattan where the review course was being taught, and this was a very rigorous course presented by a very dynamic teacher.
One afternoon as we boarded the train that was heading for the Bronx the train was very crowded as usual because it was after 5 p.m. We rode for a long time before we managed to find an available seat. Tired and drained from the all-day drill of the review class, ES and myself were grateful to have this seat, as our destination was far away. We quickly sat down, and oh what a relief that was from swinging back and forth in the moving train.
Unfortunately, it was not before long that the train conductor came running back and forth franticly and asking if there was a or a doctor on the train. We knew right away that something must have happened. We looked at each other and said "let's go and see." We walked and ran almost to the end of the train following behind the conductor of the train. Moving from car to car in a moving train is not the safest thing to do. He works with company, while we are only passengers. Everyone was giving us the stare as if these two young girls are crazy but we braved it out. I must admit that I was a bit scared to go from car to car on the train because there was a space between cars that you had to cross over.
Finally, we made it to the car where a gentleman, perhaps in his late fifties and dressed in a navy blue suite was laying down slumped over in the seat, color pale grey and draining secretions from the mouth. His skin was cold, lips cyanotic and he was not breathing. There was no pulse found in this individual in a moving train. That was great cause for concern. We loosened the neck tie and, as I said, there was no pulse. On lookers in that car on the train did not attempt to do anything even if they were CPR trained. Sad!!!! In New York the fear of lawsuit was very rampant, therefore, pray that nothing happens to you on the street, they will pass by on the other side just like the priest and the Levite guys in the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible. I thought the Good Samaritan law protect you when you render aid or do something in good faith.
ES and myself asked for help to perhaps place him on the floor of the train to attempt CPR because he was a very large guy and we were two tiny nurses, but no one was willing to help. Everyone was afraid to be sued or perhaps afraid of the deceased body. Because we could not get him positioned on his back we unfortunately could not attempt to perform CPR - KISS OF LFE. The conductor looked at us and we looked at him. He remarked you are not able to help; Is he gone? Reluctantly we said he must have collapsed for some time and no one noticed it because his body was a bit rigid a sign that he had deceased.
We left that car of the train and went back to our seat feeling very helpless but also saddened that there were no good Samaritans on board. If there were, this man probably would have survived. We continued our journey home that afternoon but could not speak to each other until we got off the train after reaching our destination. It took a long time to overcome this tragic experience. The lesson that I learned was never be afraid to offer help because you could be a good Samaritan and the next hero.
ES and I became very good friends and we decided that we would use this experience to always help people whenever we can. She became a nurse practitioner and I became a school nurse. Before separating and going in different directions, I must say that we were present on as many codes as possible in the hospitals. We helped to save many, many lives and we told our story to many people and encouraged them not to be afraid to give a helping hand because the law will protect them.
Today, I do not know what happened to ES. I must have lost track of her because I moved away to Texas and she remained in New York. Here in Texas I practice school nursing, and I am always CPR certified but also a CPR instructor. I teach both children and adults CPR. I am in charge of the Emergency Response Team at my school, and I even teach CPR at church in the Pathfinders Club. This excitement and passion to save lives and give aid must have begun a long time ago when I decided that I would become a nurse, which was my childhood dream. The incident on the train just brought out the passion more that was within.
This must be part of my destiny because I had a repeat of a similar incident but this time it was on the air plane while we were in flight a similar thing happened. We heard a baby crying which sounded like a cry for help because I was dozing off and I was awakened by the cry. The next voice I heard was that of the flight attendant asking for a nurse or a doctor on the plane. My husband who was wide awake nudged me and said are you going? They are asking for a nurse or a doctor. I jumped out of my seatbelt and rushed towards the back of the plane. This time there were Good Samaritans on board. A physician got to the scene before me and took care of the situation.
I am very thankful that other Good Samaritans exist who will answer the call anywhere and anytime. We know that time is very critical when someone stops breathing because there is only a very small window of opportunity - just about seven precious minutes that will make a difference. As nurses, sometimes I feel like we are solders. We have a battle to fight - saving lives and we must answer the call day or night, in the air or on land. If we can all remember the story of the great Florence Nightingale as she worked relentlessly with the wounded soldiers from the Korean War. If today we would have more dedication like that, healthcare would be supreme, and many of our battles against illness and disease would have been won in the 21st century.
Today, I encourage everyone to take a stand in the battle and break down the barriers to healthcare so that as many as possible will enjoy that state of mental, physical, and social well being according to the World Health organization (WHO) that is the definition of health. Be vigilant and be compassionate, and you should always have an inner passion for what you do.
Thanks for reading.
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