Patrolmen provide lifesaving CPR

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Their work day started like every other day: the two patrolmen arrived at work around 4:15 a.m., armed up with all their equipment by 4:30 a.m., went through all other requirements and were on patrol by 6 a.m.

While on patrol, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brian Bedell and Senior Airman Matthew Hinson, both installation patrolmen assigned to the 509th Security Forces Squadron (SFS), responded to an emergency call for an unresponsive adult male Sept. 11, 2017, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

The two patrolmen arrived first at the residence and after they announced themselves at the house they were directed to the bedroom where the individual was located.

“I knelt beside him and began talking to him to see if he was responsive,” said Bedell. “I checked for a pulse, but couldn’t feel one. Then, I checked to see if he was breathing and felt a very light breath from his nose after each gasp. There was no obstruction in his airway when I looked, but he was gasping for air and I knew I needed to begin chest compressions.”

It was vital the two Airmen were near the area and quickly at the scene to administer CPR before the medics arrived.

“This all happened in about five to six minutes,” said Bedell. “At this point we heard the fire and medical personnel arrive where they entered the room and took control of the scene.”

Bedell and Hinson stayed beside the individual and assisted the paramedics by lifting him up and placing him onto a stretcher. The medics thanked the two patrolmen for their dedication and help.

“While they took him out of the house, we continued to gather all pertinent information from the emergency to report back to the Law Enforcement desk while continuing to control the scene at the residence,” said Bedell.

After the male was placed in the ambulance, Bedell and Hinson escorted the ambulance off of the installation in route to the hospital.

“It made us proud to know that in such a high-stress situation we could remain calm, collected and effective in our actions,” said Bedell. “We put our emotions aside, stuck to our training and experience in order to take care of the situation at hand.”

Bedell and Hinson showed dedication and put their training into action to help keep the individual alive until medical personnel arrived.

“What these two did gave me 100 percent confidence that they can and will do what’s necessary whenever it’s needed in the future,” said Master Sgt. Shane Sudman, a flight chief assigned to the 509th SFS.

The two patrolmen were coined for their actions by Chief Master Sgt. James Lyda, the 509th Bomb Wing (BW) interim command chief. The Airmen were the first to be coined by Lyda in his position as the 509th BW command chief.

“We are extremely grateful to receive the first two coins from Chief Master Sgt. Lyda,” said Bedell. “Being part of the SFS, we don’t look for a thank you, we’re just glad to see the results from our hard work. We want the base to know that when you call us, we’ll be fast, reliable and effective every time.”