Truax Airman applies life-saving skills, receives award

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jon LaDue
  • 115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MADISON, Wis. --  Many Airmen have received Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training from the military. Few, however, have had the chance to actually utilize the knowledge and skills they learned. 

On an ordinary day, Staff Sgt. Tyson Hall, 115th Contracting Squadron, ran across an incident that afforded him just that chance. 

While in MIddleton, Wis. and speaking to a relative on the phone, Sergeant Hall learned of a man who collapsed at a high school just across the street from where he was. 

Sergeant Hall ran across the street to the school and noticed the patient looked blueish-purple and unresponsive. The patient's daughter-in-law had been administering breaths. Noticing the breaths were unsuccessful, Sergeant Hall began giving chest compressions to the patient. 

Sergeant Hall said he knew the compression began circulating blood flow because he could see color returning to the man's face. After the incident, the medics told Sergeant Hall he saved the man's life. But, in his eyes Sergeant Hall said he was simply doing what he had learned in the CPR class taught on base. 

At an annual recognition ceremony for heroic law enforcement officers and civilians, the Middleton Police Department recognized Sergeant Hall for his life-saving act. He also received thank-you letters from the patients' s wife and daughter-in-law.

Sergeant Hall said he feels like every Airman should take advantage of the CPR course on base because you never know when you might need to save someone's life.

Editors note: Instructors are needed for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation training. If you are interested, please contact Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Egstad at 245-4437