A nurse at the Alabama-Missouri football game saved an EMT’s life by performing CPR after he collapsed in the stadium stands.
God equips each of us with unique skills and places us exactly where we need to be to help others. In this story, we see how a regular football game became the setting for a life-saving moment when a skilled nurse found herself in the right place at the right time.
Nurse Erin Mender had just found her seat at the SEC stadium when her day took an unexpected turn. A woman sitting behind her called out about a medical emergency nearby, and Mender’s response was immediate: “Do they need a nurse?”
She quickly made her way through the crowd to help a fan with a head injury. Working with an EMT, she checked the fan’s vital signs and helped get them safely to an ambulance. But her work wasn’t done yet.
As Mender walked back to her seat in the upper deck, someone caught her attention. “Somebody grabbed me, and I’m not sure who it was,” she said. They pointed out another emergency – and this time, the patient was the same EMT who had just helped her treat the injured fan.
The situation turned serious in seconds. Mender saw the EMT’s eyes roll back as he started to fall backward onto another person. She checked for a pulse but found none. After asking someone else to confirm, she knew she had to start CPR right away.
Even though Mender works as a nurse, performing CPR in a crowded football stadium was different from working in a hospital. The noise and chaos of the crowd added extra pressure to an already intense situation.
She described the strange contrast of that moment: “Everything was so quiet around me, but I know it was so chaotic.” Her mind raced with urgent questions: “If I don’t get this person back, where are the EMTs? Where are the AEDs? I don’t know how much longer I can do CPR.”
Dr. Elwin Crawford, who leads Emergency Medical Services at the University of Alabama, later spoke about the importance of taking action. “We encourage people to not be scared and do CPR if they’re faced with that situation,” he said, highlighting how quick response can save lives.
Thanks to Mender’s quick thinking and skill, the EMT soon became responsive. In medical emergencies, every minute counts, and her fast action played a key role in saving his life.
The EMT has since recovered and is doing well. He expressed thanks to Mender for stepping in to help him. For Mender, her main concern remains simple: “I just keep thinking hopefully this will get me in touch with this man, and I can see how he’s doing because that’s what I care about.”
This event shows us that emergencies can happen anywhere – even to medical professionals themselves. It reminds us how important it is to stay ready to help others, no matter where we are or what we’re doing.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
Video not working?