Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Jonathan Jiang | 181205-N-DA737-0037 SEATTLE (Dec. 5, 2018) Fire Controlman 1st Class Nicholas Besheer...... read more read more
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SEATTLE -- Fire Controlman 1st Class Nicholas Besheer, a Sailor assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102), received the Washington State Ferries (WSF) Life Ring Award for his life-saving actions, Dec. 5.
Besheer and Billy Ray Brittain, Vigor Shipyard Safety Manager, received WSF’s Life Ring Award for coming to the aid of Dave Bennet, a WSF employee, who was suffering from cardiac arrest, Nov. 13.
“Today we celebrate a life saved due to amazing people who acted on their training and to remarkable community assets in emergency medical aid,” said Frank Foti, Vigor Shipyard CEO.
Besheer and Brittain delivered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) on Bennet, who had collapsed in the shipyard. The two continued to aid rescue personnel from King County Emergency Medical Services and the Seattle Fire Department that arrived to transport Bennet to Swedish Hospital in Seattle. Hospital staff said that Besheer's quick response and initial life-saving actions were critical to saving Bennet’s life.
“Honestly, it’s [our] training,” said Besheer. “Once it starts, you’re pretty much in tunnel vision above the patient and it becomes a step-by-step process.”
Besheer was an ideal first responder. Prior to entering the Navy, Besheer had worked as an emergency medical technician for five years, but also received regular CPR training during his time in the Navy. By using the experience and training from his civilian and active-duty military life, Besheer was able to come to Bennet’s aid and deliver life-saving CPR when it mattered most.
“The [civilian] training I had built a good foundation, but it had been a long time,” said Besheer. “The continuous refreshers from the Navy and the courses that we take definitely improved whatever response I would have been able to provide.”
Each rescuer was recognized by King County Emergency Medical Services and the Seattle Fire Department. Representatives from both organizations stressed the importance of life-saving equipment and proper CPR training - something that Sampson Sailors are conscious of and practice regularly.
“We go above and beyond what the requirement is for CPR because you never know when it’s going to happen,” Cmdr. Jeremiah Jackson, Sampson’s commanding officer. “First aid is so important and we always reinforce that training so that when it happens it’s second-hand nature.”
Bennet, now recovered, was reunited with his rescuers for the first time since the incident at the ceremony.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you guys,” said Bennet, in a brief, heartfelt thank you during the ceremony.
The Life Ring Award is typically only given to WSF employees. This the only the second time this year that a person outside of the organization has received the award. Lt. Cmdr. Erika Schilling, a Navy nurse midwife assigned to Naval Hospital Bremerton, received the Life Ring Award earlier in January for saving a passenger aboard a Washington State ferry.
“Thank you for saving the life of one of our [WSF] family members,” said Elizabeth Kosa, WSF chief of staff. “Thank you for making safety a priority. Thank you for taking your training seriously. Thank you for not hesitating, and most of all, thank you for being an example to others.”
| Date Taken: | 12.05.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 12.05.2018 21:39 |
| Story ID: | 302281 |
| Location: | SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 432 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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