Navy Chief saves life with CPR, AED training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Chief Petty Officer Buddy Parsons had hoped he would never have to use the cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills he had learned during his career. But he and Chief Petty Officer Joseph Mathers were glad he knew what to do Nov. 20 during the Navy Chief meeting at the Sheppard Club.

The Navy Chiefs were having dinner at the Sheppard Club when Chief Petty Officer Joseph Mathers, Utilities Lead Chief Petty Officer in the 366th TRS, began having a reaction to the Mongolian Barbeque that he had been eating when piece of food became stuck in his throat.

"I felt my throat getting a little tight but didn't think much of it," the Chief Mathers said. "After I took another bite I realized I couldn't breathe, I couldn't swallow, I couldn't cough, so I sat up in my chair."

At that point Chief Parsons responded just as he had been taught in the CPR and AED courses that he has taken.

"When I looked up at Chief Mathers, his eyes got big, he had started changing colors a little bit and started pointing to his throat," Chief Parsons said.

Chief Parsons said he rushed over to the other side of the table and began the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the piece of food that was stuck in Chief Mathers throat..

Chief Mathers said Chief Parson's reaction seemed to be a second nature for him.

"Master Chief (John) Beck didn't even have time to call 911 by the time Chief Parsons had helped me," Chief Mathers said.

Chief Parsons said that he had taken the CPR and AED classes and had practiced on fake victims numerous times but that was his first time applying it to a real choking victim.

"The CPR and AED courses are important ones to know you never know when situations will come up or when you will need to use the training," Chief Parsons said. "It can happen anywhere, at anytime."