‘Her left hand was gone’ | Arkansas nurse helps save shark attack victim while on vacation

ROGERS, Ark. — Even on vacation, Ashley Phillips, an emergency department nurse at Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, immediately jumped into action to perform life-saving measures on a shark attack victim earlier this month. 

“As an emergency department nurse, I’m no stranger to witnessing tragedy,” Phillips said. “Swiping your badge at the time clock means you can expect anything to happen. But when you’re on vacation, it’s time to take the cape off and let your cortisol levels come down—at least, that’s what I thought.”

While swimming and snorkeling with her family on the last day of vacation near Destin, Florida, Phillips heard screams and splashing in the distance. 

“At first, I thought it was just kids playing, but to my horror, I noticed a darkened area growing around the splashing,” Phillips said. “Something was definitely wrong. I told my son we needed to get out of the water and yelled to my sister to do the same. I just knew someone was hurt.”

She ran to the shore to help when she saw a woman being pulled from the water. That’s when Phillips and two other people, who are also in healthcare, came to the woman’s assistance.

“I tried to assess the situation,” Phillips said. “Towels covered her pelvic region and left arm. She was pale but responsive, while her traumatized children cried behind me.”

Those with the woman confirmed the injuries were from a shark attack. With no medical supplies, the three tried their best to control the bleeding and comfort the woman. 

“Her left hand was gone, and there was massive trauma to her lower half,” Phillips said. “Together, we all tried to control the bleeding with no medical supplies. We used a T-shirt to wrap her left upper arm as a makeshift tourniquet and applied pressure.”

Phillips said it took almost 30 minutes for emergency responders to arrive. Despite Phillips’ valiant efforts, she could only focus on the bravery of the woman she helped. 

“I witnessed one of the bravest women I have ever seen,” Phillips said. “She knew her children were watching and experiencing extraordinary trauma. Considering the amount of blood loss she endured, it’s unexplainable how she remained lucid throughout the entire rescue.”

With the woman on her way to receive the next level of care she needed, Phillips was at ease for a split second. 

“I looked around and felt an immediate sense of connection, knowing I was among true heroes, just like the ones I work with daily,” Phillips said.

After that brief moment of relief, Phillips was on edge the whole night, waiting to get good news. Fortunately, Phillips and her family got word that the woman was in stable condition.

“God showed me he was with us and through our hands, minds, and spirits he performed a miracle,” Phillips said.

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