HeartSaver/AED class can bring out the hero in everyone

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Do you know what an AED is?

For some, it may conjure the image of a medical television drama, and a doctor yelling "Clear!" before their patient arches up toward electric paddles held to the patient's chest. 

For those who may not have heard, non-medical Sheppard personnel using real automated electronic defibrillators on two separate occasions recently saved lives here. And classes are available to those who want to learn more about this lifesaving device.

The HeartSaver/AED class is offered by the 82nd Medical Group twice a month, on the fourth floor of the base clinic. Sponsored by the Life Support program, the class uses training videos, books and mannequins to teach the latest procedures in administering both AED and CPR treatment.

"Medicine and electronics are the most rapidly evolving fields in the world today, so you have to stay on top of the newest information to make sure you can properly help someone," said Airman 1st Class Ian Christiansen, a medical materiel apprentice with the 82nd Medical Support Squadron.

"Sometimes the two fields even overlap," he said, gesturing to the AED at his side.

The AED sends an electric shock directly to the victim's heart. When a victim's heart rate is fluctuating, or fibrillating, the shock can "reset" the heart's rhythm, re-establishing regular blood flow to the brain.

The class covers AED use on both adult and child victims, and proper CPR for adults, children and infants.

"It's important to remember that this could happen to anyone," said Staff Sgt. Ebony Knight, director of the Life Support program. "Not every victim is a 50-year-old overweight couch potato; you could be young, fit or it could even be a baby. People need to be prepared to save anyone's life, because you never know."

In both of the recent cases at Sheppard, the victims were young, physically fit, and in the middle of moderate exercise when the incident occurred. One Airman from the 360th Training Squadron was participating in his usual PT run when his heart became arrhythmic. More recently, a special agent from the Office of Special Investigations had just finished playing basketball for his squadron's PT session when he keeled over.

"One victim was 21 and running just like he has many times before. The other was in his mid-30's and playing basketball with others his age. There were no pre-existing conditions in either case, they were both eligible for mobility - they were fit to fight. It just happened, and people need to understand it can go that way sometimes," Sergeant Knight said.

However, Sergeant Knight could understand if someone attended the HeartSaver/AED class in preparation to help someone specific in their lives.

"Most people take the class because there's someone in particular they want to protect, like their child or a loved one with a medical condition. I did the same thing when I was pregnant; I made everyone in my house take this class. You don't want to look back and think 'I could have done something,' because I know that would kill me," she said.

Every squadron on base has at least one individual trained to instruct the HeartSaver/AED class. In the case of the OSI agent, Staff Sgt. Robert Aceves of the 82nd Mission Support Group trained two of the three men who saved him; Senior Airman Christopher Coniglio of 82nd MDG and OSI Special Agent Fernando Martinez, as well as the victim himself.

Any military member preparing for deployment is required to have CPR/AED training. Training for members outside that category is left to unit discretion. Civilians are also allowed to attend the free class. With a one-hour video, breathing masks and mannequins of adults, children and infants, people can be qualified to use the AED machine, give chest compressions and rescue breaths, and even give abdominal thrusts (previously known as the Heimlich Maneuver) to all ages.

Airman Christiansen advised that those who attend the class should leave their shyness at the door, citing self-conscious, embarrassed natures as possible obstacles to performing real-world CPR.

"A lot of people who take this class act as if they're afraid to really yell "Call 911!" or count their chest compressions aloud. It's almost as if they're afraid to look like they're taking this simulation seriously," he said. "I can't help but wonder if having a few people who are taking the same class staring at them is enough to make them skittish, how will they keep from panicking when someone is gasping, convulsing, or turning blue right in front of them?"

It's arguable that the more one approaches the practice situations with full gusto, the more it'll seem like second nature when or if the time comes to save a life. But Airman Christiansen sees it another way.

"Just think: no matter how much you feel like you're on the spot and everyone's judging you in that class, remember it'll be their turn next," he said.

The HeartSaver/AED classes are held every other Monday, with the next scheduled for May 21. To reserve a spot, call 676-3007 or e-mail Sergeant Knight at ebony.knight@sheppard.af.mil.