Ford Chiefs rescue injured woman at WWII memorial

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Brigitte Johnston | WASHINGTON (Aug. 26, 2016) - Chief Petty Officer (CPO) selectees assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) visit the World War II memorial in Washington D.C. for a CPO heritage trip. While there, a woman suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration passed out and fell into the main memorial pool at the monument. Members of Ford's Chief's Mess and Sailors selected to join the Mess this year immediately took action to render aid and call emergency services. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief (Select) Mass Communication Specialist Bryan D. Weyers/Released)  

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, UNITED STATES

08.27.2016

Courtesy Story

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)           

The woman, suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration, passed out and fell into the main memorial pool at the monument. Members of Ford’s Chief’s Mess and the Sailors selected to join the Mess this year were at the memorial for a CPO heritage trip when they noticed the woman and immediately took action.

“She looked like she was leaning down to get water from the pool when she kept going,” said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Brandon Ellison, Ford’s Command Climate Specialist.

Less than 30 seconds after falling into the pool, the CPO selectees pulled the woman out of the water, with the help of Ellison, Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Efrain Chaidez, and Chief Hospital Corpsman Cedric Gaines. The hospital corpsmen then began administering first aid.

“When she fell into the pool, she hit her head on the bottom before rolling onto her side,” said Ellison. “She had a pretty good bruise on her head and abrasions down her side.”

The Ford Sailors did not hesitate, and let their training take over. In this case, that training prevented a serious situation from becoming a potentially fatal one.

The woman was not responsive when she was pulled from the pool, but regained awareness after approximately one minute. Ellison and Chaidez then contacted emergency services for further assistance.

“I'm very proud of how quickly and effectively our Chiefs responded to an emergency situation,” said Command Master Chief Donnie Novak. “This is exactly why all Sailors train on basic medical skills and shows how valuable it is for us to be prepared to react, no matter where the emergency happens.”

• Date Taken: 08.27.2016
• Date Posted: 08.27.2016 19:09
• Story ID: 208379
• Location: NEWPORT NEWS, VA, US