CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – A nurse is being credited for saving a person’s life at Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport.The medical emergency occurred within the early morning hours of Friday, June 7.Claire Cerbie, a registered nurse who used to work at Atrium Well being’s Sanger Coronary heart & Vascular Institute in Charlotte, stated she was ready on the gate for a flight to Knoxville, Tenn., when she seen a person having a coronary heart assault close by.The person, 57-year-old Ken Jeffries from Jacksonville, Fla., was additionally touring to Knoxville.Jeffries and Cerbie reconnected in a Zoom name with WBTV. Cerbie recounted the scenario and defined the way it unfolded.“Simply the best way that you just had been loud night breathing and respiratory sounded such as you had been having a coronary heart assault primarily based on what I’ve seen earlier than,” Cerbie stated to Jeffries.The registered nurse stated she shortly jumped into motion and acquired different folks close by to assist. She defined how she led the group in performing CPR and another person grabbed a defibrillator.“We put the pads on him,” she stated. “It indicated a shockable rhythm, and it shocked him in between whereas we had been doing compressions.”Cerbie stated the group of excellent Samaritans labored on Jeffries for about 10 minutes and helped him regain a pulse.“He had his personal rhythm. He was respiratory on his personal and we sort of simply stayed by him till the paramedics arrived,” the nurse stated.Jeffries was rushed to Atrium Well being Carolinas Medical Heart the place Dr. William Downey, a heart specialist on the Sanger Coronary heart & Vascular Institute, carried out surgical procedure.In response to Downey, Jeffries would have died if Cerbie and others had not jumped in to assist him.“It’s a miracle that I used to be at that place at the moment when it occurred and the folks round me are there,” Jeffries stated trying again.Cerbie stated the chest compressions and defibrillator had been essential in retaining him alive.Airport officers stated there are roughly 35 defibrillators within the airport and extra will probably be put in subsequent 12 months.Jeffries stated he’s recovering and is grateful for Cerbie and the others who saved his life.“A ‘thanks’ will not be sufficient, Claire. Thanks for what you probably did,” he instructed the nurse. “I’m so appreciative and indebted to you.”Cerbie responded, explaining that she was glad she was capable of assist in the course of the emergency scenario.“I’m very glad that I used to be there that day that will help you out. I’d clearly do it once more in a heartbeat,” she stated. “I’m so glad to see that you just’re doing so effectively.”Jeffries stated he didn’t discover any indicators or signs related to coronary heart assaults previous to his cardiac arrest. Downey emphasised that coronary heart assaults may be prevented with smoking cessation, common train, Mediterranean eating regimen, management of blood strain and optimization of ldl cholesterol.In the meantime, after springing into motion, American Airways upgraded Cerbie to First Class on the flight to Knoxville.Associated: Fort Mill nurse acknowledged with hospital’s highest honorWatch steady information protection right here:Copyright 2024 WBTV. All rights reserved.