MXS Airman helps save a life

  • Published
  • By MSgt. Andrew Biscoe
  • 439th AW Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass.- --  A 439th Maintenance Squadron Airman who stopped to render aid to a local man in early November helped save his life.

SrA. Nathan Staples was headed to a local movie theater on one of the main streets of Springfield Nov. 8 with his girlfriend when he noticed a young man lying partially in the street and onto the sidewalk. He quickly pulled over.

"When I walked up to him, he was still conscious and somewhat responsive," SrA. Staples said. "I asked him if he was all right and if he needed any help and I didn't receive a response from him."

In line with his military training, SrA. Staples checked the man's airway, his breathing and his circulation.

"Everything seemed to be OK, so I asked him a few more questions," he said. While the man was able to answer, when it came time to ask another question, that's when the Airman saw he was unresponsive.

"I continued to monitor his ABC's while other bystanders called for help and monitored the traffic to keep the area safe," SrA. Staples said. "I noticed his breathing and his pulse were beginning to grow faint, I continued to ask questions."

SrA. Staples continued his self-aid and buddy care training -- and kept his sense of urgency. "I tried to keep the young man's eyes open but his eyes eventually shut. I couldn't see nor feel his chest rise or hear him breathing. His pulse was almost nonexistent. I decided it was time to start CPR."

SrA. Staples started chest compressions -- two sets of 30.

"His breathing and pulse went back to normal," he said. "I continued to monitor his ABC's until police arrived. They gave him oxygen."

Paramedics quickly followed the police, and a Westover Good Samaritan humbly went on his way.

"They took the man to the hospital, I spoke to the police and gave them my information, then I continued on my way to the movies," SrA. Staples said, citing his self-aid buddy care training instincts. "When I saw the guy in the road, I knew what I needed to do."