Nurse Onboard A Flight Springs Into Action To Save Infant Struggling To Breathe

Sep 28, 2022 by apost team

There are certain careers that change and save lives. Being a nurse is one of those lifesaving careers. Even when they are off the clock or outside of the hospital, they are always on guard for medical emergencies. 

For one retired nurse, she was at the beginning of her vacation on a Spirit Airlines flight as she left Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and headed towards Orlando, Florida. While reading her book on the flight, all of a sudden, while she was entering her vacation mode, a Spirit flight attendant spoke over the plane intercom. Letting the passengers know that an infant aboard was not breathing, they next asked if there was a doctor onboard. 

Tamara Panzino jumped out of her seat at a moment's notice to head to the back of the plane to help the infant in need. Upon seeing the struggling infant, Panzino said that the baby had blue lips and skin color was turning blue as well. Having the baby’s father hold the baby while Panzino gave the baby’s chest a strong shake. Eventually, the baby girl started to regain color. She thankfully didn’t have to do CPR on the small baby on the flight. 

Following the baby being able to breathe, the parents and Spirit Airlines thanked the retired nurse for her heroic efforts. Panzino said she isn’t a hero; rather, she was just happy that she was onboard to use her nursing skills and knowledge to potentially save a life. After landing in Orlando, the retired nurse was able to attend her Royal Caribbean cruise. 

In an interview with WESH, Panzino said, "I was reading my book, not paying attention and had my earbuds in.” She went on to say, "And I heard a flight attendant say, 'We have an infant not breathing.'"

When she got up to lend a helping hand, she had no idea what situation she was walking into. "I had no idea whether the baby was choking, if the airway was clear," she said. "I did not know what I was dealing with. Saw an infant. The head was back. Blue lips and her skin turning blue. Clearly in distress. Not breathing. And my heart just dropped."

It was then that she sprung into action to help the struggling infant and her family. "(I) gave daddy the baby," she continued. "He held it while I did a sternal rub, kind of an aggressive shake of the chest. Trying to make it cry or take a deep breath," she said. 

After performing on the infant, soon enough, the baby started to gain strength. "The baby’s color started looking better. I was so glad and kept shaking it aggressively," she shared. "Within a few minutes, the baby was home free. The baby was going to be good," Panzino said. "I heard breathing sounds. I heard (a) heartbeat. Oh my gosh, total relief."

Another passenger on board who witnessed the nurse spring to action said the whole plan was relieved to hear the baby was okay. "They praised the positive energy of the plane and the heroic actions of Tamara for saving her," Cassette said.

Spirit Airlines praised Panzino as well. "We extend our deepest gratitude to Tamara for coming to the aid of our Guests, and we applaud our crew for their quick response," the company said.

apost.com

Can you believe this retired nurse was onboard at the perfect time? We are so happy the baby girl ended up okay! If you found this article inspiring — make sure to send this on to others who will be inspired too!