A science teacher is recovering after being saved by her students following a health ordeal at school.
Emily Jenkins suffered a cardiac arrest at the 13th annual science fair she host for her students at East Central High School in Gulfport, Mississippi, on Dec. 4.
Jenkins, 37, started feeling “out of it” as she took part mingling with the students looking at what they came up with to submit for the science fair before she passed out.
Student Morgan White recalls the moment that she and classmate Lauren Jones “ran for the AED [automated external defibrillator]” while 911 was called to be dispatched to the gymnasium. The other students standing around searched for other teachers and facility members to help.
Luckily, the school just held a certification course on the use of AED that Lauren Jones attended and passed earning her certificate. “I was able to take everything out of the case, apply the pads onto Mrs. Jenkins skin and wait for the first responders to get here to give further instructions and take over” Jones tells us. “Hoped it would be a long time before I needed to use this knowledge, especially not on someone I looked up to. It’s a scary thing to witness, let alone have happen to you.”
First responders were able to transport Jenkins to a nearby hospital and assist in reviving her. Jenkins woke in the hospital and was informed of the events that took place while she was unconscious. “I just keep thinking back to how slim my chances were, how I am lucky to be alive” Jenkins tells us.
Jenkins hopes to return to school and her normal day to day life soon with a few adjustments to her diet and lifestyle to help prevent future health concerns.
