Hanscom officers save a life

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Foster
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Information learned through military training, as well as basic life-saving skills, may sometimes become necessary at the drop of the hat and one of Hanscom's lieutenants recently learned this first-hand.

Second Lt. Daniel Langston, Sustainment Services Flight deputy, had just left a meeting and was talking to Capt. Tchoia Brown, a Battlefield Airborne Communications Node Joint Operational Need program manager, about the Company Grade Officer and Field Grade Officer board process in the lobby of bldg. 1305, when someone alerted them of a gentleman needing assistance.

Jules Schwartz, a retired Lt. Col., was lying on the ground outside not breathing. His wife, Sandra Burgoon, was kneeling next to him yelling for help.

"I knew time was of the essence," said Langston. "I began to think about the Self-Aid Buddy Care training I received just weeks prior as part of an ATSO [Ability to Survive and Operate] exercise."

Self-Aid and Buddy Care training begins during the basics of military training, whether enlisted or commissioned. It is then conducted every two years with a computer based course, as well as hands-on training.

After confirming that Schwartz was not breathing and attempting to locate a pulse, Langston, along with Brown, started the ABCs of SABC. They secured his neck and tilted his head back in an attempt to clear his airway. Langston then began CPR. During this time, an onlooker called 911.

"I was in the process of conducting a chest compression when I heard a loud gasping noise from Mr. Schwartz," Langston said. "We saw that he needed to throw up so we quickly rolled him onto his side."

At that time, the ambulance pulled up and the first responders were able to take over care for Schwartz.

Langston said that although everything happened so quickly, looking back he feels they went through the steps correctly and he is thankful for all the training that helped him to prepare for such a frightening event.

"I know that SABC may seem tedious and we're all extremely busy but the training offered really does work and can save a life if used properly," he said. "I am reminded of Thomas Jefferson's quote, 'The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.' If we remain alert and aware of our surroundings then we can be prepared for the most unexpected situation."

Col. Juan Gaud, 66th Air Base Group deputy commander, agrees that the training military members receive, as well as the caliber of the Airmen themselves, can easily make the difference between life and death.

"Lieutenant Langston demonstrated the quality of Airmen the Air Force is training...truly ready for any situation."

Although there are not many details on what happened to Schwartz, or why he stopped breathing that day, he has been released from the hospital and is now at home with his wife...thanks to Langston and Brown and their quick thinking.