And now, a story everyone is talking about and if you've missed it, we think it may just make your Monday....
Picture this: a Baltimore couple, both nurses, were returning home from a well-deserved vacation. Emily Raines, 31, and her boyfriend, Daniel Shifflett, 28, were on Southwest Flight 553, flying back from Fort Lauderdale, when their medical expertise was suddenly in high demand.
The Washington Post reports that mid-flight, a passenger fell unconscious. The call went out over the intercom for any medical professionals on board. Raines and Shifflett sprung into action.
Raines, an acute care nurse at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, and Shifflett, who had worked as a nurse for five years before shifting to finance in 2021, were about to demonstrate the power of their nursing training.
Shifflett recounted to The Washington Post how a flight attendant was attempting compressions on the man, who was still in his seat. "You need to be on a flat surface. Otherwise, the compressions aren’t going to do anything,” he explained. With his experienced eye, Shifflett realized they had to move quickly.
Navigating the tight confines of an airplane, they moved the man into the aisle and started performing chest compressions, effectively transforming the cabin into a makeshift ER in the sky. Their swift and decisive actions potentially saved the passenger's life, turning what could have been a tragic situation into a testament to the power of medical knowledge and human compassion.
So, if you're in need of a little Monday motivation, think of Raines and Shifflett. Their story is a powerful reminder that heroes exist amongst us, even flying 35,000 feet above ground on a Southwest flight. The next time you step onto a plane, remember this story and find comfort in knowing that everyday heroes may be sitting just a few seats away.