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Navigator, PJ, work together, save life

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Buffy Galbraith
  • Air Force Special Operations Command public affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Two Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen are credited with helping to save the life of a local man recently at an area YMCA after the man suffered a heart attack.

Spending a hot, muggy afternoon watching children play tee ball, a man and his wife were walking with their grandchildren when the man collapsed.

"I was walking with my family in the parking lot when I heard what sounded like a heavy object hitting the ground," said 1st Lt. Christian Lowry, 4th Special Operations Squadron navigator. "I looked around and saw that a man had fallen onto the pavement."

Lieutenant Lowry dropped everything and ran to the man's aide, realizing that the victim needed immediate attention. He directed the nearest person to call 911 and began assessing the victim.

"I immediately thought about what I'd learned in CPR training, and applied the ABC's," said the lieutenant. CPR classes teach students to assess the ABC's - airway, breathing and circulation.

The victim was cold, clammy and bleeding heavily from a head wound, but was breathing, he said.

Though he felt confident in his abilities, Lieutenant Lowry knew of one person at the ballpark who was an expert in lifesaving techniques: Coach Craig. He shouted to an onlooker to go find the coach as he stayed by the victim's side, constantly assessing the victim's condition.

While Lieutenant Lowry closely monitored the victim, Chief Master Sgt. Craig Sammons, 720th Operations Support Squadron pararescueman, was wrapping up his job of monitoring the 3- and 4-year-olds he coaches on his son's tee ball team.

"I heard someone yelling to me: 'Coach Craig, Coach Craig,' really frantically," said Chief Sammons. "I ran to the parking lot to see how I could help as soon as I found out what happened."

When Chief Sammons arrived, Lieutenant Lowry quickly briefed him then stepped aside to allow the trained paramedic to take the lead. The chief took action as the victim's condition started to deteriorate.

"One minute the man was breathing and stable, and the next he wasn't," said Chief Sammons. "I've been a PJ for 27 years, and we are well-trained in lifesaving techniques, but during a rescue mission we usually have time to prepare and review. I'd never been in this particular type of situation before. This man's life was in my hands, and I knew I had to act decisively."

Acting decisively is just what the Airmen say the Air Force has trained them to do.

"As servicemembers, we ask our people to do tremendous things and they do it effectively and decisively, without question," said Lieutenant Lowry. "I think we in AFSOC are comfortable in those situations when we must take the initiative, especially when lives are at stake."

Chief Sammons realized the man's life was at stake when the YMCA's automated external defibrillator began to malfunction.

The AED was hooked up and advised a shock, but after it administered the first jolt to the man's heart, the battery began to fail, said Chief Sammons.

"I realized not only do you need to know how to use the technologically advanced equipment, like the AED, but you also need to know the basics if it fails," he said. "The Air Force gives us that knowledge."

It was this knowledge that permitted Chief Sammons to stabilize the victim once again until emergency services and a hospital helicopter arrived. During this time, Lieutenant Lowry comforted the victim's wife, helped calm onlookers and made preparations to clear a ball field so the helicopter could land.

"There were things that needed to be done, and that's what we did," said Lieutenant Lowry. "Most folks with any type of military training would have done the same thing."

EMS arrived and the victim was airlifted safely to a hospital in Pensacola. Soon after, the two men left the YMCA with their respective families. Neither believes what he did deserves recognition.

"It's simple, really," said Chief Sammons. "God was able to use us that day because the Air Force prepared us to help others. I am thankful I am trained to do just that."