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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. - “I went into the classroom and she was on the floor, unconscious,” said Master Sgt. John S. Powell. “There were some folks there trying to figure out what was going on. Once I got over to her and moved the other people out of the way, she didn’t have a pulse and wasn’t breathing.”
Marines are known for taking care of their own. When the occasion arises, Marines take care of anyone in need.
Powell, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, found himself in a position to do just that in Lexington, S.C., Nov. 15.
At the end of an exam at River Bluff High School, retired Master Sgt. Sheldon Bolds ran down the hallway yelling for Powell, saying a lady down the hall needed his help.
Powell rushed to help, quickly assessed the situation, and determined that she needed CPR. He sent a janitor at the school to call 911 and directed another bystander to get an automated external defibrillator from off the wall.
Powell began performing CPR on the patient, then hooked up the AED.
An AED is an electronic device that automatically diagnoses the condition of a patient and recommends defibrillation or CPR as needed.
“We shocked her once, continued CPR for a few more minutes then got another advisement to shock her again,” Powell said.
After the second shock, the woman’s heart began beating again. The paramedics arrived a few minutes later and took her to the hospital.
“That was a pretty wicked feeling,” said Powell. “All of our work paid off. We brought someone back.”
Bold, the South Carolina High School League basketball president, said he served with Powell in the past and called on him because he knew Powell was a trained first responder.
“I went to Powell because I know he and all Marines are trained to act under pressure,” said Bold.
As an ARFF Marine, Powell goes through extensive lifesaving training to prepare him for casualties on the job. In addition to his professional training, Powell is a certified emergency medical technician.
“It’s scary at the moment when it’s happening, but your training takes over and muscle memory is a big plus,” Powell said. “We spend 95 percent of our time training for something that we hope doesn’t happen.”
The woman spent three days in a coma, then woke up and was able to breath on her own. She was able to go home the day before Thanksgiving.
Powell said he feels overwhelmingly satisfied at how good her condition is.
“She’s going to have a long recovery,” said Powell. “But she is alive. That’s the best possible outcome.”
| Date Taken: | 12.18.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.18.2014 15:41 |
| Story ID: | 150669 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,316 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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