Report on major's death released

  • Published
The Air Force today released a report of investigation into the Feb. 15 death of Maj. Bryan Adrian, citing the cause of death as a pre-existing heart condition known as Long QT Syndrome.

Major Adrian was temporarily assigned to the 342nd Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, during training to be a combat rescue officer. His duty assignment was as director of operations at the 212th Rescue Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard. 

He had been at Lackland AFB since Dec. 5, 2005, attending the Pararescue/Combat Rescue Officer Preparatory and Indoctrination courses. He died Feb. 15, 2006, during the seventh week of the eight-week Indoctrination Course. 

He lost consciousness while participating in a 50-meter underwater swim. According to the investigation report, “Several instructors immediately recovered Major Adrian to the deck of the pool and attempted to revive him through cardiopulmonary resuscitation. "

Emergency medical technicians from the Lackland Fire Department arrived within five minutes and attached an automated external defibrillator. Shortly thereafter, Wilford Hall Medical Center emergency medical technicians arrived, took control of his care and transported him by ambulance to the WHMC emergency room. The WHMC emergency room attending physician pronounced him dead at 1:55 p.m. (CST) after numerous unsuccessful efforts to revive him.

Long QT Syndrome results from an abnormal delay in the heart’s electrical conduction ability which affects the heart’s ability to pump blood. As a result of his syndrome, the major suffered a non-recoverable primary cardiac arrhythmia during the 50-meter underwater swim. 

In addition to the Long QT Syndrome, the investigation board found five factors that significantly contributed to Major Adrian’s death; they were the strenuous exercise of the course, hypoxia induced by the 50-meter underwater swim, the major’s use of dietary supplements and over the counter medications, his unyielding determination to complete the course and the rescuers’ problems securing an airway and delay attaching the AED.

Col. Lansen P. Conley from Sheppard AFB, Texas, served as president of the ground accident investigation board. 

(Courtesy Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs)