Airmen put response skills to the test

  • Published
  • By Stefan Bocchino
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) --  Seven Airmen from the 898th Munitions Squadron witnessed a car crash, recently, on Interstate 40 near Amarillo, Texas, and put their self-aid and buddy care training to the test.

They were returning from an assignment at the Pantex Plant near Amarillo when they saw a car lose control and get clipped by a semitrailer. Tech. Sgt. Shawn Piel said the car then hit the concrete center divider on the highway, flipped over and skidded along the road, and then was hit again by the semitrailer.

The Airmen quickly got out of the van to see if they could render any assistance. Piel was the main liaison with local responders during the event.

"Immediately when our van stopped, everybody ran out," said Airman 1st Class Anne Price.

By then, Staff Sgt. David Henke, Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Iverson and the wife of the truck driver were pulling the victim out of the car, said Price. She was the only person in the car. They pulled her away from the car because it was smoking and in danger of catching fire.

"We decided that we needed to get her on the ground and treat her for shock," said Price. "We put her on the ground and Airman Carl Krejci held her legs. Sergeant Henke and Airman Iverson were talking to her trying to calm her. We tried to keep her awake because she'd hit her head."

After the initial assessment, Henke started directing both the Airmen and civilians coming to help with needed tasks. At the same time, he said that he continued to verify the alertness of the victim and reassure her that she would be all right.

People from nearby houses and cars brought blankets to put around her because of the cold temperatures, said Price. While some Airmen were helping to stabilize the victim, Senior Airman Ryan Dearth and Airman 1st Class Marshall Bowland directed traffic.

"Through boot camp, you learn all about these lifesaving skills," said Price. "Thinking back while you're in this situation it's like, 'Oh my gosh, this is what we learned.' It's very helpful."

The Airmen had been up since early in the morning and were looking forward to a long but uneventful drive back to Kirtland AFB, said Piel.

"All of a sudden, it was like 110 miles an hour instant activity," said Piel. "Everything was working like it was practiced. None of us work together on a regular basis, but it all came together in that instant, thanks to all the training we receive as Airmen. All these Airmen displayed very good understanding of the situation and reacted superbly."