Quick response saves life

  • Published
  • By Petty Officer 3rd Class R.J. Moraida
  • American Forces Network, Detachment 12
Base emergency response officials from Misawa's Fire Department and the 35th Medical Group responded to a 911 call at 7:23 p.m. at the Potter Fitness Center Jan. 16 after the caller said a man was down.

A person working out on treadmill next the victim, assisted him to the ground, and went to the front desk for help. Immediately, initial response was on scene. The first responders, which consisted of Engine 6 and Rescue 5 from Misawa's Fire Department and Medic 1 from the medical group, found the man lying at the foot of the treadmill in the fetal position. Medic 1 and Engine 6 initiated a patient assessment. The patient had no respirations or pulse was present.

"When you see someone dying, it's like a reality check," said Staff Sgt. Trisha Mickles, one of the first emergency medical technicians on scene. "For the first second I thought, 'oh my goodness.' He was blue. I was scared for him, but training kicked in." Normally, the Medic 1 team consists of two people; however, Sergeant Mickles was in orientation and this was the seven-year veteran's first emergency response since being assigned to the Misawa Emergency Room.

Emergency medical technician Staff Sgt. Melissa Smith administered two rescue breaths and reassessed his pulse. The patient was in full cardiac arrest.

The 35th Medical Group averages 10-15 emergency calls a month, said Airman 1st Class Yara Lebron, the third EMT on scene. The two-year veteran said every time they respond they take all of their equipment with them.

"We take everything to the patient," explained the two year veteran.

While Sergeant Smith and Staff Sgt. Mark Tross, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, initiated CPR and administered ventilations initially with a pocket mask, Airman Lebron and Sergeant Mickles were standing by to assist and prepare the patient for transport.

The Medic 1 crew took over ventilations using a bag-valve-mask with supplemental oxygen. CPR continued for approximately two minutes and then the patient was hooked up to an automated external defibrillator.

"We hooked up the pads to the patient and once the AED determined the patient was in a shockable rhythm the AED delivered a shock," said Sergeant Smith, a 10-year veteran.

The patient's pulse returned and rescuers continued rescue breathing and moved the patient onto the gurney. Oxygen was administered continuously en route to the emergency room where Air Force doctors further assessed the patient.

The first responders say it is situations like this that they train for and that brings meaning to their jobs.

"I'm just really thankful that I was able to use what I've learned to help someone else," said Sergeant Mickles. "I knew we were going to do what we needed to do and we did. I'm grateful to the fire department guys, who really helped us out a lot. We all worked really well as a team and were able to save a life."

The patient was air lifted to a higher echelon of care within 24 hours. Due to privacy issues the patient's name and status is being withheld.

"You ask most of the firefighters that work out here and most of them will tell you that they did not get into this job to be a hero, they got into this job because they are affecting people's lives," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Kelly, crew chief firefighter.

Colonel Terrence O'Shaughnessy, 35th Fighter Wing and installation commander, recognized the first responder's efforts and awarded them with a 35th Fighter Wing unit coin for their actions that day Jan. 23.

(Staff Sgt. A.C. Eggman, 35th Fighter Wing public affairs, contributed to this story.)