Lorin Beth, BSN, RN, CCRN, CEN

The call came in just as the sun began to drop over the shoreline in Wildwood. The beach was still alive with summer, but for one family, everything had changed in an instant. Lorin Szczepanski, a flight nurse, was already moving before the tones finished. Years of experience had made it automatic. No hesitation.  Just focus. The Helicopter was dispatched for a Pediatric drowning. She met her partner on the aircraft. A quick glance, and they were airborne. When they landed, the scene was tense.

Lifeguards and EMS had pulled the Pt from the ocean. Small. Still. Struggling. The signs were clear. The PT was critical. Lorin dropped beside them. Breathing was failing. Oxygenation was poor. There was no time to wait. Airway equipment was opened. Medications prepared. The noise around them faded as Lorin and her partner locked in. The intubation was smooth and controlled. Tube passed. Placement confirmed. But Lorin knew there was more. She placed an OG tube. Immediately, salt water poured out. A significant amount. It was exactly what the PT needed. Relief. A step forward. They moved quickly to the aircraft and lifted off.

Inside, it was controlled and calm. The ventilator cycled steadily as Lorin managed the PT. She adjusted settings, watched chest rise, monitored ETCO2, and fine-tuned ventilation and oxygenation. Slowly, the PT began to respond. Subtle improvements at first. Then more. Lorin stayed locked in for the entire flight to CHOP. Every breath mattered. By the time they landed, the PT was still critical, but stable. A real chance. Care was transferred. Report given. Mission complete.

Weeks later, they heard the outcome. The PT survived. More than that, the child walked out of the hospital. Lorin didn’t make much of it. She never does. But standing by the aircraft at the end of a shift, she took a quiet moment. Out in the distance, the ocean looked the same as always. But somewhere, a family got their child back. And that was enough.