An 18-year-old intern at the Memphis Fire Department was hailed hero when she saved a man using the CPR training she had just received during an internship.
Kaylee Mosley just graduated from Briarcrest Christian School and as a part of the Memphis Ambassador Program, she interned at the Memphis Fire Department to gain a real-world and hands-on perspective of emergency services. As a part of the internship, she is was required to undergo CPR training.
Four days after she received her CPR certification, she was thrown into a real-life situation.
She witnessed a driver crash into a wall at Highway 385 at Kirby Parkway on her way back home from the fire department.
“I thought it was someone working on something when I first saw [the accident,] until I slowed down and saw that there was someone else who had pulled over,” Mosley told the New Tri-State Defender.
After pulling over, Mosley and another bystander rushed over to help. They went over and found that the man was not responsive. An off-duty officer was also pulled over and had rush over to pull the man out of the car and start chest compressions.
She made a call to Lt. Major McNeil from the fire department to inform him that she had witnessed a crash. She also told him that someone called 911 and that she was going to be using CPR to help save the man. McNeil told her to be safe.
She retrieved her pocket face mask and returned to assist with the CPR, and instructed the other bystander to help as well.
She did exactly what she was taught from her course.
“I had just received training for CPR the week before and I knew I could do it.
“I had to take deep breaths, remember my training, remember what I was taught and remember what I needed to do and just do it,” Mosley told WREG.
Kaylee Mosley’s internship with the Memphis Fire Department helped her save a life! #CallPushShock https://t.co/wvGX7FNX2n
— SCA Foundation (@youcansavealife) July 26, 2018
Mosley kept calm throughout the situation. She also taught the bystander what she learned so they could help.
“I taught her how to do the compressions, taught her how to count them out and how many to do before I do the breath,” she said.
They kept on performing CPR on the unresponsive man until he regained consciousness and waited for the Memphis Fire Department to arrive at the scene, according to Atlanta Black Star. The man was then transported to the hospital for further recovery.
When asked about how he felt about Mosley’s actions, McNeil told Tri-State Defender bravery is very important and something that is expected out of young people.
“I was very excited that she wanted to help but her safety was most important to me,” he said.
NcNeil said that there is a difference between knowing CPR and knowing how to use it in a time of need.
“What KayLee did saved that man’s life,” McNeil said. “I am very proud of her and her actions, and that should be merited and praised.”
We are very proud of KayLee and the other interns working with us this summer!…
Looking back on the incident, Mosley told WREG that the moment was nerve-wracking but she was ultimately happy that she was able to help. She was just thankful that she was in the right place at the right time.
Her CPR instructor at the Memphis Fire Department, Lt. Thurman Garrett, was very proud of what she did. He said it was a special moment for him to hear about what she did and how she stepped up to save another person’s life.
Mosley plans to pursue a career in pediatric nursing when she goes to college in the next school term. She said that through the incident, she got a glimpse into what she would have to be doing as a nurse. She felt confident that she would be able to do the same thing in the future—and she’s excited.
