Recruiting Airman uses SABC training,experience to save a life Published Oct. 17, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Hillary Stonemetz Air Force Recruiting Service JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Without oxygen, the human brain suffers severe damage in only a few minutes. Death usually occurs in less than 10 minutes. A man, who experienced sudden cardiac arrest and stopped breathing Sept. 14, is alive today thanks to the efforts of Senior Master Sgt. Christopher McCool, 319th Recruiting Squadron production superintendent. McCool and his wife, Chief Master Sgt. Kathleen McCool, were driving down I-95 near the border between Delaware and Maryland when they saw a woman pull over her car, jump out, frantically wave her hands and scream for help. Her brother, a passenger in the car, was having a heart attack and needed immediate medical attention. Chief McCool comforted the victim's sister while sergeant McCool started cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the victim who had lost consciousness and stopped breathing. Sergeant McCool was assisted by Michael Brunoforte, cardiac registered nurse, who was off-duty and arrived on-scene shortly after CPR began. The Delaware State Police arrived within minutes and provided an automated external defibrillator. After Brunoforte used the AED to try to restart the victim's heart, sergeant McCool continued chest compressions while paramedics performed rescue breaths and started intravenous lines. "The patient was a very lucky man on this day," said Katherine Watts, EMS on-scene paramedic. "The right people, Mr. Brunoforte and Mr. McCool, acted without their own regard to assist a complete stranger. Their act of kindness saved this man's life and assisted in his complete turnaround from death to survival. These two men selflessly took action and I believe if they had not been at the right place at the right time, the outcome may have been drastically different." The victim has since been discharged from the hospital and a ceremony to publicly thank sergeant McCool, Brunoforte, and other first-responders is being planned. "I would like to extend my thanks for the efforts that Senior Master Sgt. McCool put forth on that day," said Michael Schusteritsch, EMS on-scene paramedic. "Not only should he be proud of his career and service to his country but his direct actions saved the life of a stranger." Sergeant McCool is a 13-year recruiter and a Self-Aid and Buddy Care instructor. He is currently in the midst of a permanent change of station to JBSA-Lackland where he will be the recruiting house superintendent.