CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Simulating a passenger becoming ill may seem like the perfect scenario on an aeromedical evacuation training mission, but a passenger wasn't faking it on a recent flight to Hawaii.
Reservists from Charleston's 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron proved they were up for the task when one of the passengers suddenly passed out. A routine training mission suddenly became a real-world aeromedical evacuation flight.
While running through scenario after scenario on the 10-hour training mission to Hawaii, Senior Airman Maria Baird, an aeromedical technician, noticed the passenger starting to get ill.
"She was pale and looked like she was about to pass out," said Airman Baird. "I knew she was about to 'crash.'"
The medical crew rushed into action, turning the mundane training mission into a real-world mission.
"We quickly determined that she most likely had a hypoglycemic event and treated her with oxygen and Dextrose (a concentrated form of sugar)," said Capt. Jerry Earl, a 315th flight nurse. "Our training helps us do things automatically."
After stabilizing the patient, the crew contacted the Global Patient Movement Regulatory Center at Scott AFB, Ill., and consulted with a flight surgeon. The crew continued to care for and monitor the patient until the aircraft landed at Barbers Point, Hawaii, where emergency responders met the aircraft.
In addition to military training, members of the crew often draw on expertise from their civilian careers.
"I deal with similar situations everyday in my civilian job," said Airman Baird, who works as an emergency room medical technician at Roper Hospital.
In addition to the patient, the medical crew cared for and comforted the woman's three small children.
By having the aeromedical crew on the aircraft, the aircrew was able to continue the flight as planned.
"If they (had not been) on board, the mission probably would have been diverted to the nearest base," said Master Sgt. Brad Day, a 300th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, who was on the aircraft. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)
USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)