LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Atrium Health Lincoln nurse, Kassondra Josey, was on her way home from Las Vegas when a fellow passenger had a medical emergency requiring her skills to be used 30,000 feet in the air.
Over Texas, Josey was watching a movie when her husband nudged her arm for an overhead announcement asking for medical personnel.
“But a doctor stood up, so I sat tight for a minute. When I saw him run to the front of the plane for his bag, I knew it was serious,” said Josey, “I told him I was a nurse and asked if he needed any help. He immediately said, ‘Yes!’”
Josey jumped in to help the doctor, relying on her training and two years in the field. The man was unconscious and unresponsive, but the doctor-and-nurse team knew he needed help fast because of unstable vitals.
As the flight crew worked to set up an emergency landing at the nearest airport, Josey worked in the tight aisle and started an IV; all while the plane was hitting some turbulence.
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When another nearby passenger fell sick, Josey didn’t hesitate to help while still caring for the first passenger. Soon after she was told by a flight attendant to “brace for impact.”
The plane had a successful emergency landing in Abilene, Texas, and emergency medical services rushed the sick passenger to a nearby hospital. Josey still doesn’t know who the man is but got an update that he was awake and stable.
Josey said this experience reminds her why she went into health care in the first place and that she was thankful the passenger is alright.
“No one gets on a plane expecting someone to need dire assistance,” said Josey. “I’m thankful for the positive outcome.”
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