Players, spectator save life of fallen Airman Published March 6, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Mindy Bloem 43rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFNS) -- Five minutes into an intramural basketball game, two base teams were locked in a battle for victory but then had to shift focus to battle to save a fallen player's life at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 18 here. A player fell head first to the floor at the Pope Fitness Center's basketball court, but two players from the 43rd Medical Group team and a team spectator were quick to act. Staff Sgt. Monique Holloman, a former Pope Air Force Base member now stationed with the 60th Medical Operations Squadron at Travis AFB, Calif., was watching from the stands when she noticed the player fall. "I first thought he had tripped, but then realized he needed help when I noticed he couldn't get back up," Sergeant Holloman said. "I went out to see if he was OK. After a minute or so, the player's eyes dilated and he stopped breathing, so I ran and got the Automatic External Defibrillator as the other two started cardiopulmonary resuscitation." The other two responders were Senior Airman Nathaniel Hardaway, recently transferred to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, and Senior Airman Freddy Rengifo, assigned to the 43rd Medical Operations Squadron. Airman Rengifo's first reaction was to assess the extent of the player's injuries. After checking his airway, breathing and circulation, he stated that the member needed CPR and began performing chest compressions. The three responders pulled together as a team, providing lifesaving techniques in order to revive the unconscious player. This team effort came as no surprise to Sergeant Holloman, who had worked with these other Airmen previously. "I used to work with them at the Pope clinic, and we worked very well together," she said. "They performed CPR (on the injured player) while I used the AED. They responded just as I knew they would." The rescuers also agreed that the training they receive is crucial in moments like this one. "Because of my prior training, performing CPR was second nature," Airman Rengifo said. "I felt confident and prepared to help." Sergeant Holloman agreed. "Training helps tremendously, and working in the emergency room has helped me a lot too," she said. "I just did what I was trained to do. It was my job to respond. I couldn't just sit by and not do anything." Fortunately for the injured player, his responders' training paid off, and he is alive to play another game; something that makes a big difference to his rescuers. "I felt uplifted knowing that I had saved someone's life; knowing that he could go home to his family another day," Airman Rengifo said. Sergeant Holloman said it's important for those who might find themselves in a similar situation to stay calm, confident and remember the basics: airway, breathing and circulation (pulse). "Always remember to grab the AED. You never know when you are going to need it," she said. It's a good thing she did because that player would otherwise not be here today. He stopped breathing for nearly three minutes before again gaining a pulse and becoming coherent. "This was a once-in-a-lifetime situation, and I am glad I was around friends who could help me perform to the best of my abilities," Airman Rengifo said. "It was an honor to assist the member in his time of need, and I wish him nothing but the best." Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page