Off-Duty Nurses Save Man’s Life During Drew Lynch Comedy Show
Image sources: TikTok, Instagram
Quick actions by two off-duty nurses and an EMT saved the life of 83-year-old Richard Wende after he suffered a cardiac arrest at a Drew Lynch comedy show in Spokane, Washington, just days ago. The incident has drawn national attention, not only for the drama but for the extraordinary teamwork and compassion shown by nurses in the audience, who responded in seconds and revived Wende before paramedics arrived.
Nursing Instincts Don’t Clock Out
During Drew Lynch’s set, Wende abruptly collapsed in the crowd. Audience members immediately called 911 while an EMT and two ER nurses in the audience began chest compressions. This responsiveness is exactly what nurses train toward: when seconds matter, nurses act.
“Those were the longest five minutes of my entire life,” Lynch told The Washington Post. Wende’s son Nathan, who was attending with his father, confirmed, "He had no pulse for over five minutes when, by a miracle of God and the efforts of people in that room that night, they were able to revive him.”
@thedrewlynch At a show this past weekend in Spokane, something happened that I will never forget. In the middle of my set, a man in the audience collapsed from a heart attack. What happened next was one of the most powerful examples of community and human connection I’ve ever seen. Without hesitation, people in the audience began taking turns performing CPR, clearing space for paramedics, and monitoring his vitals. He had no pulse for over 5 minutes. With the combined efforts of total strangers, and honestly, by what felt like a miracle that night, he was revived right there in the room. The entire audience came together in that moment—no egos, no identities, no division—just one goal: saving a life. The next day my funny friends Akeem , Rachel and I visited Mr. Wende in the hospital to finish the show for him. Getting to laugh and share stories with his family for hours in the hospital was the reminder I needed of why comedy is so needed- especially in times when the world feels so torn apart. HUGE thank you to the people of Spokane, the brave medical professionals, and the Wende family for bringing this man into my life and reminding me just how special community can be. #spokane ♬ original sound - Drew Lynch
The Nurse Response
Lynch observed the nurses diving into action, working shoulder-to-shoulder to save a stranger.
“Let me take a moment here because that was truly remarkable,” Lynch said from the stage after the medical emergency.
Referencing the nurses specifically, Richard Wende said in a televised interview, “I was amazed that somebody was right there and that had emergency room training, I would say. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Firsthand Accounts from the Scene
The comedy show’s dramatic rescue unfolded in front of hundreds. In multiple follow-up interviews and videos, Lynch told the crowd, “You guys all really just came together in a really cool way. You saved that guy’s life.”
Lynch, clearly shaken and moved, reflected on the experience: “People were working together, so it was kind of like I was in almost like an operating room… People in the room with no identity, no ego, nothing other than just coming together to clear a path, men, women, taking turns doing compressions for CPR, monitoring vitals, calling the paramedics, working on him for over 5 minutes.”
What Went Right That Night
- Early Detection: The ability to identify cardiac arrest quickly is critical. Recognizing that someone is unresponsive and pulseless, and initiating CPR immediately, makes the difference between life and brain death.
- Seamless Teamwork: Multiple responders coordinated care. They took turns doing compressions, cleared furniture, and anticipated the arrival of EMS. No hesitation.
- Preparedness Beyond the Hospital: Nurses are taught protocols, but rarely do they apply full resuscitation skills in unexpected settings. This night underscored that rescue is not limited to clinical units. It can emerge anywhere, in concert venues, restaurants, parks, and even comedy clubs.
- Psychological Steadiness: In those five minutes, stress would have surged, but the nurses maintained focus. They did not freeze. They moved. They took over. That mental resilience is forged over years of training, critical drills, and exposure to emergencies.
The Importance of Nurses and CPR Training
Wende’s family credits the nurses attending the show for his survival. “They sprang into action and performed their duties. It’s crucial to be knowledgeable about CPR,” Nathan Wende said.
Lynch visited Wende in the hospital the next day to finish the show in person, reflecting, “Getting to laugh and share stories with his family for hours… was the reminder I needed of why comedy is so needed, especially in times when the world feels so torn apart.”
Community Applause
As Wende was taken away by EMS, the crowd erupted in applause for the nurses and all who assisted. Lynch, still visibly emotional, wiped his tears and reiterated, “That was incredible. You saved that guy’s life.”
To all nurses headed home tonight: carry your skills with you. You never know when your audience will need you, offstage or on.
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