Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace | Airman 1st Class Andrew Pranzo, 89th Communications Squadron airborne communications...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. – An 89th Communications Squadron Airman saved a Virginia man’s life during a hike deep within Shenandoah National Park Aug. 10, 2014.
Airman 1st Class Andrew Pranzo, 89th Communications Squadron airborne communications technician, has been in the Air Force merely nine months, yet used his basic military training Self-aid and Buddy Care techniques after witnessing the man fall about four feet and smash his head on a boulder, which caused a Y-shaped gash in the man’s forehead from hair-line to eyebrow, exposing his skull.
On a battlefield, an Airman would reach into their Individual First-aid Kit and retrieve dressings and bandages in such a scenario. However, the 19-year-old Las Vegas native had no IFAC and was two miles into the Shenandoah Mountains so had to improvise. According to witness Tech. Sgt. Jeffery Boyette, 89th CS, his actions were swift and decisive.
“We saw an elderly gentleman, his wife and his young granddaughter traversing down a steep rocky incline, and they appeared very fatigued,” Boyette said. “He turned to look back uphill to check on his family and when taking his next step, lost his footing on a wet rock and fell face first. His forehead was the first thing to hit and was gashed on a sharp-edged boulder.”
Immediately Boyette and his wife, Karen, responded and tried to stop the bleeding. Meanwhile, Boyette ordered Pranzo to run two miles uphill over rocky and mountainous terrain to seek help. Cellular signals were unavailable in that area.
As Pranzo headed off, Boyette realized the man was bleeding badly, so devised another plan.
Looking around, Boyette saw roughly 20 other people nearby, yet no one was trained or mentally prepared to assist, so saving the man’s life fell squarely on he and Pranzo’s shoulders.
Intense bleeding continued.
Noticing the man had a diaper bag for his toddler granddaughter, Pranzo dashed to retrieve a diaper to help absorb blood. There were not diapers in the bag, so Pranzo used a pair of the toddler’s shorts as a dressing, then removed his own shoelaces and used them to wrap the shorts tightly around the man’s head, which provided enough pressure to significantly reduce the bleeding.
“We assessed the gentleman for other injuries, monitored for shock, calmed and instructed his family,” said Boyette. “Pranzo then escorted the man out of the mountains, closely monitoring for blood loss, alertness, fainting, concussion and shock, while also carrying his granddaughter.”
When they reached the top, Boyette found someone with a first-aid kit, cleaned the wound and applied a proper dressing with gauze and bandaging. Pranzo called a Park Ranger who radioed ambulance services, and waited until paramedics arrived and briefed them on the man’s status and every step taken until that point.
“Our confidence in SABC training, quick response, calm under stress and assertiveness to take control of the situation to lead this man to safety was vital to his survivability,” recalled Boyette, noting both the man and his wife had suffered heart attacks previously. “His significant injury could have been life-altering or life-ending had shock, fainting, or another heart attack complicated issues. Airman Pranzo’s readiness, professionalism and leadership skills were paramount to the success of the rescue.”
With a nod to his one-year-in-service status looming this November, Pranzo is thankful for the training the Air Force has afforded him thus far, he said.
“A lot of knowing what to do came from BMT and, honestly, much of my confidence to act comes from the trust of my command and experiences I had in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps while in high school,” said Pranzo in a stern demeanor. Calming his nerves and with a smile, he noted:
“That was definitely a weekend to remember.”
| Date Taken: | 09.10.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2014 09:11 |
| Story ID: | 141773 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD, US |
| Hometown: | SHENANDOAH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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