Training helps Elmendorf Airman save man’s life

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mikal Canfield
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  He did what anybody else in that situation would have tried to do. Thankfully for one man, Master Sgt. Robert Campbell knew exactly what to do. 

"I was at my desk and I overheard some co-workers talking about someone in a room having a heart attack," said Sergeant Campbell, 3rd Services Squadron NCO in charge of Lodging at Elmendorf's North Star Inn. 

The individual in distress was David Ira, a man visiting Alaska as part of a vacation trip with his wife. 

The lodging staff immediately called for assistance. With paramedics en route, Sergeant Campbell went up to the room to investigate. 

"The room was very dark and I immediately opened the curtains to reveal that David was turning purple," he said. "I immediately checked for a pulse on his wrist and neck and - after determining there was no pulse - I started to perform CPR actions." 

Sergeant Campbell performed two cycles of CPR until help arrived. Elmendorf Paramedics came in and applied an Automated External Defibrillator before transporting Mr. Ira to Providence Hospital in Anchorage. 

Although Mr. Ira would require surgery to install a pacemaker, thanks to the quick actions of Sergeant Campbell he was going to be all right. 

Sergeant Campbell knew what to do because of training he has received throughout his 18-year Air Force career; specifically, Self Aid and Buddy Care and CPR training. 

"The biannual CPR training Airmen receive is the most important training that we receive," he said. "It was like second nature to me to react when an incident of this nature happens. 

"When you are armed with this training, have the courage to use it, because you never know - the life you save may be your own or the life of someone you love," he added.
Sergeant Campbell's statement on the importance of CPR is backed up by research conducted by the American Heart Association. According to the AHA, CPR can double or triple the survival rate of people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest when performed at intervals and followed by defibrillation. 

Mr. Ira has recovered enough to return to his home in Lake Havasu, Ariz. According to Sergeant Campbell, he is recovering fine, although he will have to go to therapy to regain some of the motor skills he's lost. Mr. Ira knows things could have turned out a lot differently. 

"Mr. Ira was very thankful for the actions I took on that day. He constantly wanted to shake my hand and wanted to hear the story over and over again," Sergeant Campbell said. "He was still in recovery when I talked to him. Because he doesn't remember much due to the memory loss he sustained, his daughter was there to videotape our conversation so she can replay it to him at a later date." 

When Sergeant Campbell thinks about that day, most of his thoughts all come back to the training he received and knowing what needed to be done and having the confidence to act fast. 

"I feel extremely blessed that I had the opportunity to assist someone who really needed my help," he said. "I am just glad I could put my CPR training to good use and save David's life. I was in the right place at the right time." 

"Stay engaged and keep current on training because you never know when you're going to need it." 

CPR training is available through the multiple agencies. For information on the 3rd SVS training class, call Jimmy Matlock at 552-1990. For information on the 3rd Medical Group training, call Tech. Sgt. Khampheng Scott at 580-5544. The 3rd MDG provides training to military members; civilians can receive training through the American Red Cross at www.alaska.redcross.org (select the "training" icon for class schedule).