Photo By Tech. Sgt. Kaylee Clark | 181212-F-MM194-001CAMP SMITH, Hawaii-Asia Lavarello, Executive Assistant to the JIOC...... read more read more
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By: Staff Sgt. Kaylee Clark
Service members and civilians attend numerous briefings and training sessions per year dedicated to learning practical information they may use throughout their careers.
Asia Lavarello, Executive Assistant to the JIOC Commander, seized an opportunity to use valuable training to save someone’s life.
She was travelling down a main boulevard in Waikiki on November 18 around 9 p.m. and witnessed an accident she could not pass by without intervening. Stopped at a red light, she saw a cyclist with noticeable injuries lying on the sidewalk surrounded by onlookers.
The cyclist had swerved to avoid a car, was thrown from his bike and hit the curb face first.
Lavarello felt immediately by the scene developing in front of her that if she did not help this man, no one else would.
She leaned on her DIA Deployment Qualification Course (DDQC) training to direct the bystanders to call 911, get his wallet for identification and assist her in keeping him stable. She elevated his head, cleared away blood that was obstructing his breathing and spoke to him to ensure he maintained consciousness.
At the time she had no idea she was helping a neighbor to the JIOC, a Navy civilian employee at U.S. Pacific Fleet headquarters.
“I didn’t think it would be something I’d ever have to use in real life, but I’m so glad that I pulled up at that red light when I did,” she said. “My training from DDQC gave me the ability to assess the situation, take control and remain calm. The situation was so similar to the scenario I’d practiced that I was able to act without hesitation.”
The bicyclist was covered in blood and had a broken nose and teeth, along with two cracked ribs. Using his I.D., Lavarello addressed him by name, assured him she would stay with him until the paramedics arrived and that he would be all right. He made eye contact with her and began to calm down.
“When the paramedics arrived, I gave them a succinct rundown on the situation and the (bicyclist)’s injuries, just as I had learned in DDQC,” she said. “I helped the paramedics place him onto a stretcher, and they whisked him away to the hospital.”
The bicyclist has since returned to work.
Lavarello’s training at DDQC lead her to spring into action and prepared her to care for someone in a critical situation.
Colonel Matt Rau, Commander of the USINDOPACOM JIOC noted, “Our command philosophy encourages that ‘we are not bystanders nor passersby.’ Ms. Lavarello’s training enabled a mindset of readiness all of us should have to take action.”
| Date Taken: | 12.12.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2018 20:48 |
| Story ID: | 303301 |
| Location: | HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 567 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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