Airman uses Air Force knowledge to save life

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Todd Wivell
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Within weeks of his arrival at Ellsworth Air Force base, Senior Airman David Perry, an Air Force Financial Services Center instructor, made a name for himself. 

While shopping at a local grocery store on the evening of April 23, Airman Perry watched as a man walking in front of him let out a gasp for air and fell to the floor. "My instincts kicked in," said Airman Perry. "I ran over to his side, took his vitals and motioned for someone to call 911." 

Airman Perry said initially the man had a weak pulse and was breathing but struggling for every breath. "Within seconds, he stopped breathing and I found no pulse. I began CPR by myself for what seemed like one minute, until he started breathing again. The paramedics arrived shortly after." 

"I didn't have time to think about what I was doing," said Airman Perry. "The military taught me how to do CPR; it all just came back to me and I reacted. 

"I can attribute my actions to the self aid and buddy care training I receive each year. I would not have known what to do had it not been for this training." 

Airman Perry is one of six airmen assigned to the AFFSC and is the only airman instructor. 

"Airman Perry volunteered and was selected to be part of the AFFSC initial cadre," said Master Sgt. Bryan Hendricks, AFFSC first sergeant. "He was selected by the Secretary of the Air Force/Financial Services Transformation office and our commander to be one of four instructors at the AFFSC. 

"I'm very proud to have Airman Perry on our team. His quick thinking and actions reaffirms the need for annual training. Whether home or deployed, these skills are 100 percent worth our time." 

"Our community is very lucky to have someone like David as a neighbor," said Sergeant Hendricks. 

"Not everyone would have had the ability to keep their cool and respond quickly without panicking," said Tech. Sgt. Dana Schmitt, an AFFSC instructor and immediate supervisor to Airman Perry. "Not to mention the courage to take that man's life in his own hands, not ever having had to perform the steps on an actual person before. 

"David is a quiet, reserved young man and not to mention humble. He did not want to be recognized for his actions; the only reason we knew about it was because he had voiced his concern to a coworker regarding whether or not the man survived the ordeal after he reached the hospital." 

According to Sergeant Hendricks, a call was made to the local hospital and the staff there confirmed the man did survive. 

"It is a good thing that some of my military training can be used outside the base to help better the local community," said Airman Perry. "I definitely recommend everyone go through a refresher course at least yearly for CPR as you never know when something like this can happen." 

"Currently there are 47 certified CPR instructors at Ellsworth," said Tech. Sgt. Day McDougall, 28th Medical Group Education and Training NCOIC. "We try to have a CPR certified instructor for each unit. The instructor's course is offered once a quarter."
Individuals who are interested in becoming CPR certified as an instructor or simply CPR certified can call Sergeant McDougall at 385-3404 to set up an appointment.