Recruiter applies SABC training to save lives

Published Sept. 23, 2014
By Capt. Kwang Woong Kim
Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- On the early morning of Sept. 4, Tech. Sgt. Ryan Cole, 317th Recruiting Squadron line officer accessions recruiter at Waldorf, Md., witnessed a multiple-vehicle accident and was the first on scene.

He quickly called upon his Self-Aid Buddy Care training to assess and treat each of the drivers.

"I saw one of the drivers hanging out of the vehicle vomiting," Cole recalled. "I ran to his vehicle and pulled the driver out. I sat him down in a safe area on the side of the road, and checked him for any other injuries and treated him for shock."

"He seemed disoriented, but could not see any other physical injuries," Cole added.

After stabilizing the first driver, Cole flagged down a bystander to help direct traffic away from the accident by setting out road flares and calling 911.

After stabilizing the scene of the accident, he turned his attention to the second injured driver.

"I rushed over to attend to the female who seemed to be stuck in her vehicle as the entire front end was smashed completely into her dash," Cole said. "She was unresponsive at first, but I kept talking to her, asking her name and checking her pulse until she finally came to."

"I observed blood on her face coming from her nose and possibly from her head," he added. "She was not making sense and I told her help was on the way and to try not to move."

As he continued to help the injured, local emergency crews arrived on scene and transported both drivers to the hospital for treatment.

Looking back, he was thankful for his SABC training as it was crucial to helping the injured.

"SABC was a game changer," Cole said. "Had I not received the training, I wouldn't have been able to properly triage them and get vital information to the medical response team as they arrived."

Many were proud of Cole's heroic act and attributed his actions to his character.

"I am extremely proud of Tech. Sgt. Cole's quick thinking and the leadership he displayed while handling the situation," said Lt Col. Charity Hartley, 317th RCS commander.

"No matter what the situation, he is always willing to lend a hand and has a very positive, professional attitude," Master Sgt. Thomas McCray, 317th Recruiting Squadron A-flight chief, added. "I am very proud of him and his acts as this type of heroism definitely describes his character of being a great Airman first!"