Airman earns medal for lifesaving efforts

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brian Bahret
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNEWS) --  An Airman here was presented the Air Force Achievement Medal recently for saving the life of a 7-year-old boy who was choking on candy.

Airman 1st Class Kyle Thomas was bowling while on leave in Norman, Okla., after competing six weeks of basic training and six months of technical training when he heard a man call for help.

The aerospace ground equipment mechanic assigned to the 36th Maintenance Squadron reacted instantly after hearing the plea. A boy was choking on a jawbreaker and the father didn't know what to do.

As he turned in response to the commotion, Airman Thomas saw Quinn Cardenas pulling his 7-year-old son out of the bathroom. He ran to the child's aid.

"It was a scary moment," Airman Thomas said. "It stunned me, but I just dropped the ball and ran."

"The child was on the ground blue in the face," Airman Thomas said. "His dad tried to pry the jawbreaker out with his finger. I told him not to because the candy could get lodged deeper in his throat."

The Airman said what happened next came without thought.

"I didn't think I needed to do this or that,'" he said. "I knew how to do it and I just did it."

He picked Nick Cardenes up under his arms and began administering the Heimlich maneuver. He said after four compressions the candy fell from the child's mouth.

"At first the boy went limp, but then he began gasping for air," Airman Thomas said. "His mom cried and his dad became emotional too. Both thanked me."

Nicole Thomas, Airman Thomas' wife, and another childhood friend had joined Airman Thomas for an evening of bowling. Mrs. Thomas said they were surprised by her husband's reaction and could only stare slack-jawed as he responded.

After the lifesaving effort, Airman Thomas quietly returned to his game.

"I didn't know he knew how to do that," Mrs. Thomas said. "Basic (training) matured him a lot -- it changed him for the better."

He said he learned the Heimlich in basic training. Before that, he said he never thought he'd need to perform any lifesaving skill.

"I didn't think it was that big of a deal," said the 19-year-old. "Because of the training, I just reacted. You can't take it for granted. You have to retain it because you never know when you'll need it."

The 36th Maintenance Squadron recognized Airman Thomas recently in a commander's call. In front of the squadron, Maj. David Boles, 36th MXS commander, praised the young Airman for his efforts and presented Airman Thomas with the Air Force Achievement Medal.

"It's good to know that the Air Force teaches these skills," the major said. "Sometimes you take the training for granted until you realize not everyone knows how to do it."

Shortly after his lifesaving efforts, Airman Thomas also earned accolades from Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry, Rep. Tom Cole, Sen. Jonathon Nichols, Norman Mayor Harold Haralson, and the Norman Moose Lodge No. 1799 in a ceremony held at the Moose Lodge.

"He was so overwhelmed by all the attention," Mrs. Thomas said. "I'm so proud of him -- I thought he deserved everything."

"I wasn't really expecting anything," said Airman Thomas. "A thank you would've worked for me."

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