Off-Duty Nurse Saves P.E.I. Woman’s Life After Sudden Cardiac Arrest at Wendy’s
A simple family lunch turned into a life-or-death emergency for 57-year-old Laurie Ouellette — and if not for a series of remarkable coincidences and the quick actions of an off-duty nurse, she may not be alive today.
This incident was first reported by CBC News, and you can read the full original story here:
➡️ ‘I completely stopped breathing’: P.E.I. woman thankful to nurse who saved her life
A Sudden Collapse
Laurie and her husband were visiting family in Windsor, Ontario when they stopped at a Wendy’s restaurant. While sitting at the table, Laurie’s head suddenly dropped to her chest and then struck the table.
She had completely stopped breathing.
“I started turning blue,” Laurie later shared. Her husband immediately shouted for someone to call 911 as she slipped into cardiac arrest.
A Nurse in the Right Place at the Right Time
In a remarkable twist of fate, Amanda Ferrari, an off-duty nurse, happened to be inside the restaurant — only because she had switched shifts earlier that day and made an unexpected stop.
Ferrari quickly moved Laurie to the floor and began lifesaving CPR, restoring her breathing long before paramedics arrived 10–15 minutes later. Laurie later learned she had suffered a cardiac arrest caused by a blocked artery.
Laurie is certain she wouldn’t have survived without the nurse’s fast response.
“There’s absolutely no question that if she hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be talking to you today,” she said.
Recovery and Recognition
Laurie spent nearly a week in the hospital, including time on life support. She has no memory of the event and relies entirely on others’ accounts to understand what happened.
Her gratitude for Ferrari’s actions led Laurie’s husband to nominate the nurse for a Red Cross Lifesaver Award, which she received on December 5. The two now share a lasting emotional bond.
A Message for Everyone: Learn CPR
Laurie hopes her story inspires more people to learn CPR, especially since cardiac emergencies can strike anywhere — even during a quiet meal with family.
If you want to be prepared to help in an emergency, consider taking CPR & AED training.
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