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Academic News — UNC Points of Pride
UNC Trainer Comes to Aid of Stricken Passenger
When facing an emergency, everyone hopes to remain calm and assist in someone else’s time of need. That’s exactly what University of Northern Colorado assistant athletic trainer Liz McMurtry did on a recent flight to Portland with the women’s soccer team.
Shortly before takeoff, a fellow passenger rang the call bell. Flight attendants, realizing there was trouble, asked if anyone had medical experience.
McMurtry, a 2005 UNC graduate, came forward. The passenger who fell ill was non-responsive but initially alert before slipping into unconsciousness.
McMurtry, along with a registered nurse on the plane who joined her, laid the passenger across the aisle, elevated the passenger’s legs and the nurse performed a CPR chest compression. The passenger regained consciousness, was taken off the plane by EMTs and was expected to fully recover.
McMurtry insists everyone would have handled the situation exactly the same and was glad to help. McMurtry is a member of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association, the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. She works with both the Bears’ soccer and baseball teams and, among her duties, is responsible for medical evaluation, rehabilitation, treatment protocols, emergency care, injury prevention strategies, health administration and human performance.
10/16/2009
- Contact for more information:
- Heather Kennedy
- Phone:
- 351-1065
