Overview
- Nicole Woods entered the ocean to rescue her 8-year-old nephew at Wrightsville Beach and both were pulled from the water by a nearby rescue team.
- Responders found Woods unresponsive without a pulse and performed about five minutes of chest compressions before using an AED to restore her heartbeat.
- Woods was taken to Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center, was placed briefly on a ventilator, and doctors later removed her from the ventilator when she could breathe on her own.
- Medical staff report no cognitive impairment and have cleared Woods to continue recovery at home while her nephew remained under overnight observation after the incident.
- Officials and Woods have emphasized the danger of rip currents and the decisive role of on-scene CPR, AED use, and rapid hospital care in preventing a fatal outcome.