Posted 11 June 2024 - 16:00
Posted 11 June 2024 - 16:00
News
Nursing student’s use of CPR saves woman’s life at airport
The decisive action of final-year nursing student Karen Cochrane after witnessing a heart attack is praised by the woman’s mother as well as hospital staff
The decisive action of final-year nursing student Karen Cochrane after witnessing a heart attack is praised by the woman’s mother as well as hospital staff
A nursing student who helped save the life of a young woman experiencing a heart attack at Belfast International Airport has been hailed a hero by the woman and her family.
Karen Cochrane, a final-year nursing student based at the urgent care centre at Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, was about to catch an early morning flight when her daughter Hannah noticed the emergency unfolding.
Quick-thinking student performs CPR
Caitlin Woods had collapsed as she was approaching the terminal, just outside the entrance on a zebra crossing.
Ms Cochrane immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to help stabilise Ms Woods, aided by airport staff and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service over the phone, and continued until an air ambulance crew and paramedics arrived.
Her actions were instrumental in saving the young woman’s life.
‘I had only used a defibrillator in training’
Ms Cochrane initially thought Ms Woods might have fainted, but then quickly realised she was non-responsive and the situation was more serious. ‘I coordinated with airport staff and performed mouth-to mouth-resuscitation, maintaining the patient’s airway – and one of the airport staff did compressions while the other counted compressions,’ Ms Cochrane said. ‘The teamwork was excellent.’
A defibrillator was then brought to the scene and used to restart Ms Woods’ heart.
‘I had only used a defibrillator in training and this was the first time I had seen it used in practice,’ Ms Cochrane said. ‘I was so relieved when the paramedics arrived and, at that same time, much to my relief, the air ambulance was flying overhead.’
The medical team and paramedics took over and Ms Woods was taken to intensive care at Antrim Area Hospital for further treatment.
Family stresses the importance of CPR training
Ms Woods said of Ms Cochrane: ‘If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here today. She is my guardian angel. I can’t thank her enough.’
And Ms Woods’ mother said hospital staff had told her the standard of CPR that her daughter received was the reason she was alive.
‘It is so important if you are given the opportunity to undertake CPR training to take it,’ she added. ‘You don’t know when you may need to use it, but it can save a life.’
Nursing student’s career experience and training came to the fore
Ms Cochrane, who was a midwife until 2010, is studying nursing at the Open University. She aims to register as a nurse in October and believes her career background, combined with recent training, helped her to act decisively.
‘I was on placement in South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust’s cardiac catheter lab, which was an excellent learning experience with regard to cardiac events and defibrillation.
‘I recently undertook resus training, which was excellent. I knew automatically what I should be doing.’
The Woods family is arranging a fundraising event in Belfast for the Air Ambulance service as a thank-you gesture.
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