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Fellow reservists save runner's life after heart attack

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ebony Nichols
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  An Air Force reservist who had a heart attack is alive because of the quick actions of his wingmen in the 917th Wing.

During the February unit training assembly, a technical sergeant in the 917th Maintenance Squadron collapsed after he finished the mile-and-a-half run of his physical fitness test.

Several quick-thinking people rushed to his aid as the stricken Airman fell on test administrator Master Sgt. Anthony Evans.

"I had finished my run just before him and didn't want him to finish alone so I ran with him," said Tech. Sgt. James Pierce, 917th MXS. After he collapsed, "my emergency medical team background kicked in, and my focus was only on him."

Master Sgt. Richard Cover of the 917th MXS was monitoring members of his Air Force Reserve Command unit during their physical fitness test.

"I saw him go down and advised them (the monitors) to lay him down and clear his airway," said Sergeant Cover. "He had no pulse and was turning purple."

Brenda Lanham, a base aerobics instructor, began CPR. She is certified to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation and to operate an automated external defibrillator. After her arms got tired, Sergeant Pierce started compressions.

"He wasn't responsive, and I was concerned with his heart," said Sergeant Pierce. "I used the defibrillator to check his vitals."

The vital signs were low, so Sergeant Pierce shocked the downed member twice and got very little response.

Senior Airman Doniel Kidd of the 917th Services Flight was beginning his fitness test run when he "saw a man running with the defibrillator and heard people screaming."

Airman Kidd stood in line to offer CPR repetitions and helped paramedics get the runner in the ambulance. He was among many Barksdale AFB members working to save his life. The responders may not have known that the reservist was having a heart attack, but they knew his life was in jeopardy.

"I was concerned with oxygen once he turned blue so I gave him CPR, and he had a pulse and started breathing on his own," said Sergeant Pierce.

After the base medics arrived, they started an intravenous transfusion and put an oxygen mask on the stricken Airman to further stabilize him until the local emergency medical team arrived.

Sergeant Pierce is a volunteer firefighter in Stonewall, La., but hasn't served for the past year.

"I'm glad I was able to remember (what to do) when it counted," he said. "My only concern was my friend, and I believe God put me there for a reason."

The heart attack victim is doing fine and will return to light duty in a few weeks, according to reports from his unit. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)