Sheppard first-aid training saves a life Published Oct. 2, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- First-aid and automated external defibrillator training proved valuable at the base Repair Cycle Management Office here Sept. 22, when they saved a life. "She wouldn't have made it if we hadn't been able to react so quickly," said Valina Rolen, 80th Flying Training Wing former cardiopulmonary resuscitation trainer. When Mrs. Rolen arrived, she said she saw her co-worker face down at her desk. "'She's unconscious,' I thought, and my next question was, 'is she breathing?,'" she said. "No one had a chance to call 9-1-1 or the AED responders before she stopped breathing." She said at that point all she could think about was how she wanted her co-worker to be OK, so she began performing CPR for two or three rounds, however, the victim's pulse was falling. Lori Stewart, 80th FTW AED trainer, rushed to the scene to administer the AED. "I shocked her and administered more CPR with [Mrs. Rolen] until she started breathing again," Ms. Stewart said. "Then her pulse started to get stronger and stronger." Although Mrs. Rolen and Ms. Stewart saved their co-worker's life, they said they aren't the heroes in this situation. Mrs. Stewart said if any of the other trained employees had been around they would've done the same thing. "We just can't pass on how important first-aid training is," Ms. Stewart said. "I think that is what really helped save a life."