Photo By Samuel King Jr. | Master Sgt. Justin Hagemann, 96th Security Forces Squadron, recently provided self-aid...... read more read more
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On Halloween, screams and howls are a common occurrence that comes with the holiday. For one 96th Security Forces Squadron Airman, the screams he heard this Halloween were real. Those howls spurred him into heroic action to help a severely injured victim.
Master Sgt. Justin Hagemann really wanted to be outside and do some yardwork before the little monsters came out for tricks and treats. He hadn’t been able to do much due to a recent ankle surgery and although his wife didn’t like it, he persisted.
While pulling weeds, he heard screaming from his neighbor’s house. Hagemann said he instantly knew what happened due to the construction noises he’d heard throughout the day and his familiarity with the power tools being used.
Hagemann rushed over to find a blood trail that led to the screaming worker. He was holding his left hand which had been cut while he operated a table saw.
The 15-year Airman saw the worker’s pinkie finger had been cut through and was hanging by a thin piece of skin.
Hagemann got the worker’s name (Adam) and asked his coworker to call 911 immediately. The Airman moved Adam under a large tree in his own yard. Once Adam was settled, Hagemann rushed into his house for clean towels and ice.
When he began to wrap Adam’s hand Hagemann discovered a second injury. Adam’s thumb had been cut through past the bone as well, but was still attached. Hagemann wrapped up Adam’s hand with ice and kept it elevated.
“I always remember the ABC lesson from self-aid buddy care training,” said the 36-year-old. “The A (airway) and B (breathing) were good, so I focused on the circulation. I wanted to keep him as calm as possible, slow his breathing and hopefully slow the bloodflow to his hand.”
This was easier said than done. Hagemann said Adam was in mild shock and began to panic about the potential loss of his fingers and livelihood.
“I tried to steer things to the positive to keep him calm,” said Hagemann, who manages Eglin’s law enforcement efforts during afternoons and nights.
The paramedics took over the situation upon arrival and Adam was taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. The entire incident lasted roughly 20 minutes. He was later transferred to Gainesville for surgery with a hand specialist.
“My family and I prayed for Adam,” said Ken Teter, Hagemann’s neighbor and owner of the house where the accident happened. “Such a debilitating injury would surely be a life-changing event for him and his family. The results of Justin's heroic act were not immediately known on that day, but came to light over the next few days.”
On Nov. 1, Teter and Hagemann learned Adam’s fingers were reattached and he was recovering. By Nov. 3, they learned Adam was home and even had some feeling returning to his pinkie and thumb.
Adam’s hand surgeons sent word back that Hagemann’s quick and proper first aid had made the surgery possible, according to Teter.
“I’m convinced Justin's actions prevented this accident from being any worse and likely saved this man's thumb and finger,” said Teter. “Such a loss would be so debilitating that who knows how it would affect his life and family.”
Hagemann modestly downplays his role and impact on Adam’s life.
“I was just at the right place at the right time,” said the new senior NCO. “I was happy to hear they were able to reattach his fingers. I hope he gets the motion and feeling back so he can work again and provide for his family.”
(Editor’s note: Attempts to contact Adam through his employer and foreman went unanswered.)
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2017 08:56 |
| Story ID: | 258376 |
| Location: | EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 35 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Airman's buddy care effort saves victim's hand, by Samuel King Jr., identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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