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Always Ready

By Tech. Sgt. Angela Stebbins, JFHQ/PA / Published September 12, 2010

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157th Air Refueling Wing -- August 15th is a date Tech. Sgt. David Adrien, a quality assurance inspector with the 157 Air Refueling Wing's (ARW) Maintenance Group, will likely never forget. On what would have been just another night out for dinner with his wife Sharon, Adrien helped save a man's life.

The couple had gone out for dinner and soon after placing their drink orders heard a man yelling to call 911. Adrien looked up and saw a man holding another man who was slumped over in his chair. He was shaking him frantically trying to get a response.

The chaos was immense; the man's wife was screaming, the son was yelling his father was dead, and the daughter in-law seemed to be in shock, but Adrien immediately jumped into action.

"I had the son help me lay his father on the floor," said Adrien. "Then I proceeded to slap the man in the face to see if he had just fainted or passed out but there was no response."

While Adrien had the daughter in-law check for a pulse, he put his head onto the man's chest to listen for a heartbeat and then for breathing.

"There was no pulse, no breathing and no sounds of a heartbeat," said Adrien. "I then performed mouth to mouth resuscitation, checked his pulse again...still nothing. I opened his eyelids and saw his eyes were rolled back, so I gave him a longer breath of air this time...then the man turned his head and gasped for breath."

After being able to stabilize the man, the emergency crew arrived stating Adrien's efforts likely saved this man's life.

Adrien credits the military training he receives at the Air National Guard base for his ability to react quickly and effectively.

"The self-aid and buddy care training received (at Pease) was how I knew what to do in this situation," said Adrien. "Everybody else around was panicking but there was no hesitation on my part. I felt prepared and ready to do what was needed," he said.
"This is why we teach self aid and buddy care," said Col. John Mirabello, Chief Of Aerospace Medicine of the 157th Medical Group. "It is to allow the Airman to remain calm, assess the scene, and understand the basics of patient assessment. With this training, they can not only help their wingman but also citizens out in the community."

The Starry family sent a thank you letter to Adrien stating how very grateful they are for his efforts. Starry spent four days in the hospital after what was apparently a mild heart attack but is expected to make a full recovery.

"The actions of Tech. Sgt. David Adrien were nothing short of heroic and I am very
proud of his actions," said Col. Paul Hutchinson, Commander of the 157th ARW. "When faced with a life and death condition he did not panic and instead calmly and professionally took control of a chaotic situation and using his National Guard training and experience, he saved a human life," he continued. "This situation shows the true value of the citizen soldier to our communities and state; they are always ready to respond to the call and support our citizens. I am happy Adrien was at the scene and able to respond so quickly to ensure a positive outcome. The 157th ARW is very proud of his actions."
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