PHILADELPHIA – A 55-year-old woman is alive today after two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers resuscitated her at Philadelphia International Airport Saturday.
Officers Luis Castineiras and Mohammed Sajib heard pleas for help at the bottom of an escalator in the arrivals side of terminal A-East at about 5:15 p.m. The officers rushed to the scene and encountered an unresponsive woman who was not breathing and started turning blue.
While Officer Sajib ran to grab the closest Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), Castineiras initiated Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Castineiras continued CPR until the woman breathed on her own. A woman passing nearby identified herself as a nurse and rendered assistance.
Philadelphia emergency medical technicians transported the woman to a local hospital for observation. CBP learned Sunday that the woman was treated and released.
CBP is not releasing the woman’s name due to privacy laws.
“I am proud of Officers Castineiras and Sajib. It comes as no surprise to me that they immediately rendered decisive life-saving measures when they encountered a woman in serious medical distress,” said Joseph Martella, CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia. “We consistently retrain on basic life-saving skills throughout our careers, and though most of us may never have the need to exercise those skills, it is reassuring to know that when the bell rings, CBP officers can answer the call.”
