Saving a life is not a choice or decision to make, but it’s an imperative action that requires an immediate response. The detrimental bombing in Paris recently had brought about a devastating impact not only to the nation but to the whole world. There have been several personal stories emerging that encapsulate different experiences. One of which is from an amateur video, wherein an off duty nurse named David, did not hesitate to save a man’s life.
According to Reuters’ interview with David, he said, “I saw this man, out of the corner of my eye, and put him on the floor. He had nothing special, he was just unconscious”. These words underscore that nurses, does not need to know who you are, but instead, it’s what you need. And that the moment, David knows that this man needs immediate attention.
As David further describe the incident, he mentioned that he saw a big hole on the side of his body. He further assesses the patient and ripped his T-shirt, and there he found wires. Aside from the blood which spread on the floor, there were also bolts that immediately confirmed his speculation that the patient he was trying to save was the suicide bomber. The man that David was attempting to resuscitate is Ibrahim Abdul Salam. When the emergency service arrived, they did confirm that he was the suicide bomber and told David that he was lucky that the bomb did not explode as it should have, because it could result in greater damage. This also made David realized that by performing CPR, he could possibly be killed as well.
Such a kind of experience is indeed traumatic. However in nursing profession and even with other health care providers, knowing who the person is, is not the priority concern when we see a need to provide care. Instead, we first determine what the person needs to sustain life, and little did we know such kind of circumstances also compromises our own life. We made an oath that reminds us of our profession and our calling.
