Airman uses Air Force knowledge to save life

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Todd Wivell
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (AFNEWS) --  While shopping at a grocery store outside of Ellsworth Air Force Base the evening of April 23, an Airman watched a man walking in front of him let out a gasp for air and fall to the floor.

"My instincts kicked in," said Senior Airman David Perry, an Air Force Financial Services Center instructor. 

Without pausing, Airman Perry ran over to the man's side, took his vitals and motioned for someone to call 911. 

Initially the man had a weak pulse and was breathing, but he was struggling for every breath, Airman Perry said.

"Within seconds, he stopped breathing and I found no pulse," the Airman said. "I began CPR by myself for what seemed like one minute, until he started breathing again."

The paramedics arrived shortly after.

"I didn't have time to think about what I was doing," Airman Perry said. "The military taught me how to do CPR. It all just came back to me and I reacted. I can attribute my actions to the self aid and buddy care training I receive each year. I would not have known what to do had it not been for this training." 

"His quick thinking and actions reaffirms the need for annual training," said Master Sgt. Bryan Hendricks, the AFFSC first sergeant. "Whether home or deployed, these skills are 100 percent worth our time."

"Our community is very lucky to have someone like David as a neighbor," Sergeant Hendricks said.

"Not everyone would have had the ability to keep their cool and respond quickly without panicking," said Tech. Sgt. Dana Schmitt, an AFFSC instructor and Airman Perry's supervisor. "Not to mention the courage to take that man's life in his own hands, not ever having had to perform the steps on an actual person before.

Sergeant Hendricks called the local hospital and the staff there confirmed the man survived.

"It is a good thing that some of my military training can be used outside the base to help better the local community," Airman Perry said. "I definitely recommend everyone go through a refresher course at least yearly for CPR as you never know when something like this can happen."

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