(SER-AL-119) Redstone Composite Squadron
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Civil Air Patrol Training Saves Lives

March 4, 2020

Huntsville, AL – Why do members of the Civil Air Patrol train? They train because one of the Primary missions is to conduct Emergency Services on behalf of the Air Force.  In the Alabama Wing much of that training is conducted at the National Emergency Services Academy Satellite Southeast (NSSE).  Training prepares members to be ready to support in various capacities, including those outside of the CAP.

Civil Air Patrol’s emergency services training prepared Major Michael Guthrie of the Redstone Composite Squadron to spring into action when a life possibly hung in the balance. Events unfolded unexpectedly while Maj Guthrie and a co-worker were on their way to lunch. 

 

Maj. Michael Guthrie pictured conducting Emergency Services training with Cadets. Pictured from left to right is Maj. Michael Guthrie,  C/SMSgt Robert Wood and C/A1C Madison Butler (now C/SMSgt Butler). (Photo date: 14 May 2018)

 

While driving through the parking lot at work, Maj Guthrie was conversing with his coworker when she suddenly became unresponsive and started exhibiting difficulty breathing.  Maj Guthrie quickly determined that his co-worker was experiencing a serious medical condition.  Immediately, he drove to the nearest building entrance and sought additional help. With the help of other employees, 911 was called and the coworker was safely taken out of the vehicle and placed on the ground for further evaluation.  The 911 operator directed that CPR be initiated and Maj Guthrie gave the chest compressions as advised.  After about two minutes of compressions, the co-worker regained consciousness and was responding to basic verbal instructions.

Shortly thereafter, ambulances and Fire Rescue arrived and the co-worker was taken directly to the local hospital for further medical treatment.  Once at the hospital, doctors determined that the co-worker had experienced a brain aneurysm. Surgery was performed and, after staying over a week in the hospital, the co-worker is currently recovering at home. 

Maj. Guthrie credits his emergency services training received through Civil Air Patrol for the confidence in being able to help his friend in their time of need.  Maj Guthrie has been in CAP since 2006. Although he entered CAP as a Cadet he transitioned to become a Senior Member and now assists with the Cadet Program and Aerospace Education in the Redstone Composite Squadron.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90% of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of more than 80 lives annually. CAP’s more than 65,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to nearly 28,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.news for more information

 

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