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Air Force Reserve nurse saves life of commissary employee

  • Published
  • By Capt. Rebecca A. Garcia
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Training, teamwork and quick reactions saved the life of a commissary cashier here Feb. 16.

Maj. Heather Everly, a traditional reservist in the 459th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, was shopping when she heard the store public address system ask for a doctor or nurse.

When Major Everly arrived at the scene, she was told that the woman had a seizure and collapsed at her register. At first, the flight nurse thought she was facing a relatively uncomplicated situation, but then she noticed the woman was not breathing and had no pulse.

"I just did what I've been trained to do," Major Everly said. "I focused on the patient and directed the people around me in order to save her life."

Major Everly didn't have her regular medical equipment with her, but the commissary staff had an automated external defibrillator.

The medical response was a concerted effort. Major Everly directed and delivered chest compressions while a male bystander administered breath using a T-shirt for a barrier - a standard safety precaution.

An AED diagnoses a patient's condition and provides electrical treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. The AED indicated the patient had a shockable rhythm. After two cycles of CPR and shock, there was still no pulse, but the patient appeared to be trying to breath.

When the emergency medical technicians arrived from Malcolm Grow Medical Center on base, they used their equipment, and Sandra Palmer, a civilian emergency medical technician, gave two more shocks to the patient's chest.

After the fourth shock, the patient woke up and started breathing. The patient was taken to the emergency room at MGMC, where she was stabilized by Dr. Ann Egland, a physician who had also been in contact with the ambulance on scene.

MedSTAR Transport, the same company where Major Everly works as a civilian, took the patient to Washington Hospital Center Cardiac Catheterization laboratory for emergency cardiac care. The patient was later released from the hospital and allowed to go home, according to Dr. Egland.

The doctor praised everyone involved in helping resuscitate the patient.

"(Major Everly's) quick action as a good Samaritan resulted in saving the person's life," Dr. Egland said.

"I really appreciate it. (Major Everly) was awesome," said Rena Dial, Andrews commissary store director. "Lord, thank you that [all of the Team Andrews members who assisted] were in here. (Major Everly) was a godsend."

Ms. Dial also said the situation at the commissary highlights the importance of training and staying current in CPR. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)