Airman uses SABC skills to save lives in car accident

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  After hearing the sound of a crash followed by a cloud of smoke and debris on Highway 14 in Lancaster, Calif., Dec. 7, an Edwards Airman rushed to the scene to help save the lives of two strangers.

When Tech. Sgt. Rondale Alexander, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Air Force Flight Test Center command section, spotted the overturned automobile, one man was already working his way out of the wreck. However, another passenger was held upside down by his seatbelt and the mangled metal.

When the Airman got down on his knees and observed the man was severely bleeding from large lacerations across his face, he immediately sprung into action using lifesaving techniques he learned in the Self-Aid and Buddy Care training he received here recently.

After assessing the situation, Sergeant Alexander realized car fluids were leaking and suggested to other first responders that they work together to get the victim out of the vehicle.

A smaller man climbed into the overturned car to unbuckle the seatbelt as Sergeant Alexander reached in from the back window to grab the victim's shoulders and pull him to safety.

"After getting him out, we could tell how badly he was hurt," said Sergeant Alexander. "We pulled him away from the vehicle and rendered first aid."

Sergeant Alexander took off his sleeveless sweater, rolled it like a towel and applied pressure to the victim's forehead.

"I think he also had a broken nose because it was black and purple and really swollen," he said. "His ribs seemed to be protruding from his body; he kept saying he couldn't breathe; and he was also bleeding from the mouth."

A third responder, who introduced himself as a Navy nurse, took over applying pressure to the victim's wounds and directed Sergeant Alexander to tend to the second victim whose arm was broken and shoulder may have been dislocated.

Recalling that an SABC instructor had recently taught him how to use a jacket as a sling, Sergeant Alexander successfully stabilized the man's arm.

"His arm was dangling and he was in a lot of pain, so I told him it would hurt a little," he said. "I took his arm, put it in his jacket, zipped it up a little and turned it into a sling for him."

He then sat the man down and returned to help the other victim.

"He looked as if he was going into shock, so I said I'd get a blanket or something to keep him warm," said Sergeant Alexander. "We couldn't find a blanket so we put a jacket on him."

The rescuers continued rendering first aid until ambulances, fire trucks and the police arrived several minutes later. The men were placed on stretchers with neck braces to stabilize their heads, necks and spines.

According to fire personnel from Fire Station 130 in Lancaster, one man was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital and the other was air evacuated to Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, Calif.

"After they got into the ambulance, I just went home," said Sergeant Alexander. "It was all a shock to me. It was more of, 'Did this just really happen?'"

Sergeant Alexander admits that he sometimes felt tired of the repetitive training for exercises and inspections, such as the upcoming Unit Compliance Inspection, but he kept thinking to himself that "you never know when you're going to need it."

Repetition and training build capability; the Airman was prepared with the critical skills needed to react appropriately in this crisis situation.

"When I ran over there, I felt confident because I knew what to do," he said, remembering the experience.

Chief Master Sgt. Eric Jaren, 95th Air Base Wing command chief, said he is very proud of Sergeant Alexander's actions.

"It is our responsibility to ensure we are fully prepared and ready to fulfill our expeditionary commitments," said Chief Jaren. "Sergeant Alexander's swift reactions and confidence are a testament to his professionalism and the high caliber of SABC instruction he received during recent training exercises."

Col. David Miller, AFFTC vice commander, also said Sergeant Alexander is the embodiment of military professionalism.

"His training prepared him for the unexpected and his response to the mishap saved lives," he said. "We're very proud of him and grateful for the leadership example he sets for Edwards Airmen."

Along with training for the UCI in January 2009, Sergeant Alexander, a Chicago native, is also preparing to embark on an overseas deployment in February.