Subscribe
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - A Marine was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at Malner Hall aboard Camp Geiger, March 25, for saving the life of a Jacksonville resident.
Sgt. David Rogers, platoon commander for Company D, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry East, and his family were car shopping at National Dodge on North Marine Blvd., when Rogers heard a thud from across the store and saw that the general manager, Robbie Yates, had collapsed on the floor from a heart attack.
Rogers responded immediately, providing medical attention to the victim, who had no pulse. His wife Anastasia, a CPR-certified childcare provider, jumped in shortly after to assist him.
“I was able to start performing CPR with my wife doing mouth-to-mouth, while I did chest compressions,” Rogers said. “He was able to start breathing and his heart was pumping on its own.”
Emergency medical services arrived five minutes later and provided medicine that, in combination with Rogers’ CPR, helped the victim’s heart stabilize. Yates was then transported by EMS to the hospital.
Rogers said it was his “fight or flight” mentality that drove him to act immediately.
“I knew something was wrong, so I quickly responded,” he said. “I ripped open his blouse, took off his tie, and instantly knew that he was having a cardiac arrest.”
First Sgt. Devon Holson, Co. D 1st Sgt., said the heroic act was unsurprising from such a Marine as Rogers.
“That it was Sgt. Rogers doesn’t surprise me,” Holson said. “That’s the kind of Marine he is. He genuinely cares.”
Anastasia was also awarded with a letter of appreciation for assisting her husband in saving Yates’ life.
The couple strongly encourages Marines to become CPR-certified and keep current with first-aid training.
“All Marines across the board still need CPR training,” Rogers said. “Don’t set yourself up, like I’ve done that before, I’m good to go. Train in even the things you know best, so when a situation like this occurs you can react.”
Marines can get certified through their local American Red Cross. The application process is available online, at http://www.redcross.org.
| Date Taken: | 03.25.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2013 09:42 |
| Story ID: | 105016 |
| Location: | ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Marine saves Jacksonville resident’s life, by Sgt Mary Carmona, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
