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Sheppard reservist saves life using SABC

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
  • 82nd Training Wing
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A training session in a hotel pool Sept. 5 for a Sheppard reservist turned into a rescue effort when a young man was injured.

Lt. Col. Matt Byrd, 97th Flying Training Squadron T-38 Talon instructor pilot , said he had just finished training for a triathlon when he saw the young man attempt a flip into the shallow end of the pool. The colonel exited the pool and noticed a young man try to do a back flip into the shallow end of the pool. That's when his Air Force training kicked in.

"What is great about our Air Force is that I had just gone through Self Aid Buddy Care training," the colonel said. "When he came up, I immediately saw blood in the water. I knew that he needed direct pressure applied to his wound or he was going to bleed to death."

"He landed on his head and split it open 10 to 12 inches from front to back," said the colonel. "It was the most grotesque thing I had ever seen."

Colonel Byrd quickly grabbed his towel, jumped into the water and pulled the young man to the side of the pool. He then wrapped the towel around the youth's head and proceeded to hold the injured young man's head above his ears while applying direct pressure until the paramedics arrived and took over. Throughout the ordeal, the injured man lost approximately four pints of blood.

"I don't like blood," he said. "My gut reaction was to do nothing. I did not want to get involved; I really didn't. (My reaction was purely) because I had been trained and knew what to do."

Staff Sgt. Elton Gill, SABC instructor, said the training Airmen receive is very important.

"When I was a paramedic, every day I saw how basic first aid before the paramedics got to the scene can make a difference," the sergeant said. "My hat goes off to the reservist who went into the pool to help.

"Using the skills we teach (in SABC), such as direct pressure and basics to control or stop bleeding, probably saved the young man's life."

Sergeant Gill said it is not only important to know what to do, but Airmen have to be willing to act. As military members we are held to a high standard.

He said Colonel Byrd's actions demonstrated how SABC training is serious and can save lives.

Upon returning to Sheppard AFB, the colonel called back to the hotel to see if they had news on the young man's condition.

"Thankfully he survived," said Colonel Byrd. "This training can be painful at times. But, without the Air Force training I would not have been prepared to help this kid."