Quick-thinking Reservists respond to car accident Published Oct. 6, 2009 By Erin Tindell Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- "Somebody's going to need help and right now." That was the thought that immediately entered the heads of eight quick-thinking Reservists when they witnessed two vehicles crash head on near Dobbins Air Reserve Base Sept. 17. The Reservists from the 700th Airlift Squadron and the 94th Aeromedical Squadron were driving back from lunch around 12:45 p.m. when they saw a mini-van driven by a middle-aged woman driving the wrong way on the road strike a sedan driven by a young man directly in front of them. Without hesitation, the Reservists - Lt. Col. George Pelech, Majors Rafael Clark, Lance Avery, Mike Ballard and Alf Martinez, Capt. Will Perry, Tech. Sgt's. Tamara Miller and Deanne Kelley - pulled over to park and help the two victims. Fortunately, the Reservists were all trained in Self-Aid Buddy Care. Additionally, Major Clark, 700th AS, is a volunteer firefighter/emergency medical technician while Sergeant Kelley, 94th AES, is a registered nurse for her civilian job. Naturally, these two took control of the situation while Major Ballard, 700th AS, dialed 911. The Reservists first ensured the scene was safe by turning off the ignitions and disconnecting the batteries of both vehicles so they wouldn't catch fire. A few of the Reservists established a traffic control detail to keep everyone else safe while the patients were being treated, said Major Clark. Surprisingly, both the woman and young man were conscious and alert, although the young man was badly injured and trapped inside his vehicle. The woman was able to exit her vehicle but was confused and in a state of shock. "We had to keep her calm because initially she was a bit hysterical," said Major Clark. "We wanted to make sure she did not further aggravate her injuries." Sergeant Kelley had a blood pressure monitor and a pulse oximeter in her car and they were able to determine initial vital signs for both patients such as their blood pressure, pulse rates and blood oxygen saturation levels. They also asked both patients common questions such as their names, what year it was and if they knew where they were located to assess their level of consciousness. Since the female patient was out of the car, the Reservists were able to perform a head to toe examination on her and discovered she had tenderness in her shoulder, a large cut on her knee and a sprained or fractured ankle. When the Reservists discovered the male patient was entrapped in his car, they saw he was in severe pain from a broken bone in his lower right leg and a swollen, deformed left thigh - most likely the result of a broken or fractured thigh bone. He was also hanging partially outside his car window, so Major Clark directed Major Ballard to hold the patient's neck and head in line with his spinal column until a cervical collar could be applied. He also directed Colonel Pelech to stabilize the woman's neck until she could also receive a cervical collar. Major Clark suspected the male patient was suffering from hemorrhagic shock because his vital signs were much lower than normal, which was most likely caused by internal bleeding from the broken bones. By this time the local fire department arrived on scene. However, the Reservists continued to assist in any way they could. They helped secure the female patient to a long spinal board, applied her cervical collar and strapped her in place while firefighters worked to extract the male patient from his vehicle. "We told the responders who arrived on scene who we were, our qualifications and continued what we were doing for the patients," said Major Clark. Sergeant Kelley retrieved an IV kit from the fire department and administered them to the patients while the other Reservists used their SABC skills to treat the patient's immediate injuries by applying dressings and splints. They continued giving care until each patient was loaded into an ambulance. "I wanted to start the IV on the patients, especially for the guy trapped in the car so he could receive pain medications for his injuries while the firefighters were cutting him free," said Sergeant Kelley. Once both patients were safely transported to local hospitals, the Reservists were contacted by family members of the patients to assure them their loved ones would be OK. Major Martinez even went to the hospital where the female patient was to return her car seats and stroller to her husband. "It was not out of my way at all, and I was happy to return the belongings to them," said Major Martinez. "At the hospital ... I met her mom who said, 'I love you guys!' They were all very grateful for our help." Despite their persistent and timely care, none of the Reservists consider themselves heroes, even though they happened to be in the right place at the right time. "I do consider all of us that helped to be selfless," said Major Martinez. "Many things could have gone wrong after we ran out of our cars to the accident scene. But at the time, the only thing that mattered was making sure the two individuals received first aid care. We were lucky we had military members with us with special emergency medical training."
