By MC3 Luciano Marano
COMSUBPAC Public Affairs

Release Date: 09/18/2009

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – It was completely unexpected when Chief (select) Aviation Ordnanceman (AW / SW) Tommy Thompson collapsed during a Chief Petty Officer Indoctrination run on Ford Island Friday, Sept. 11.

“I was following in the medical coverage van when I saw that somebody had fallen out,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman (SS) Randy Swanson, USS Charlotte Independent Corpsman (IDC) and event medical support. 

Thompson was suffering from a sudden and severe case of cardiac arrhythmia.

Through a fortuitous twist of fate, Swanson happened to have an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) in the van, though it is not normal policy to have the device on hand for such an event.

“I wanted to be prepared,” said Swanson.  “I don’t know why I grabbed it, but I knew that it was the right thing to do.  After that everything was instinct, we all did what we were trained to do and we did it right, and it ended up saving a shipmate’s life.”

“We were very lucky that day,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman (SS) Joseph Matthews III, staff of Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) and event medical support.  “It’s not actually required to have an AED on site for this sort of event, Swanson had just happened to bring one.  We’re going to ensure that we always have one close by in the future.”

Thompson, 36, is quick to acknowledge the fortunate circumstances that quite possibly saved his life.  “Everything lined up that day for some reason,” he said.

Following a timely recovery, Thompson was released from the hospital and was actually able to attend the pinning ceremony as scheduled. 

“What can you really say about the guys that saved your life?  They’re my brothers and I love them,” said Thompson of his fellow Chiefs whose preparation and training made all the difference when it mattered.

“It’s what we do,” said Matthews.

Several Corpsmen would ultimately contribute to the rescue.  Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Kevin Boyce of COMSUBPAC staff, Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Michael Miller of the Naval Submarine Support Command (NSSC), Chief Hospital Corpsman Jay Carson of Commander, Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT) staff and Chief Hospital Corpsman Clinton Lariscy of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One would all play pivotal roles in the resuscitation effort.   

Swanson, recently awarded the Submarine Force 2009 IDC of the Year award, remains humble.  “I’m very satisfied with the outcome, everything worked out for the best.”

“It was fortunate because two of us had just been Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) recertified last week,” said Matthews.  “It worked out for the best.” 

The Navy Chief Indoctrination program has long stood as a testament to the power of teamwork, and that emphasis quickly became real when a shipmate needed help.  Several Chiefs on site that day came together and saved the life of one of their own through quick thinking and technical expertise.

Original Article: http://www.csp.navy.mil/releases/release_09049.shtml