June 26, 2012
Vol. 1 Issue 28
CPR Training Teaches Sailors to Save Shipmates Story by MCSA Ryan Mayes
The medical staff of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) encourages cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic first aid training for all personnel. CPR certification and first aid training are a large part of being ready for any emergency situation, explains Lt. Cmdr. James Morris, the ship’s nurse. “First aid is an essential skill that everyone should know,” said Morris. “We all work on the most hazardous industrial environments and mitigate risk through ORM (operational risk management), but accidents still happen. A shipmate can save a life by performing basic first aid techniques when required. It is imperative that we all train for the worst so that if it happens we can resort to our training and succeed in our mission.” Medical response teams on board Nimitz are highly trained but cannot be everywhere at once and are not always the first responders. “Everybody can save a life,” said
Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Robert Jimenez performs cardio pulmonary resuscitation training during a first aid exercise on Nimitz’ flight deck. Photo by MC3 Jacob Milner.
Cmdr. William Klorig, Nimitz’ senior medical officer. “It isn’t usually a corpsman who arrives on scene first. When someone isn’t breathing you have to act quickly. You don’t always know how long they have been incapacitated. We [medical professionals] say, ‘Time is Life’.” The ship’s medical personnel are highly trained and efficient in their field. However, if the worst of situations were to occur, any Sailor available could be called on to assist the corpsman and
medical staff. “It’s in those first few minutes that we have a better chance of saving a life or preventing permanent damage due to lack of oxygen.” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW) Isreal ThompsonFilip. “Electrical ratings, food service staff and, of course, medical personnel are all required to have CPR certification due to the nature of their jobs,” said Thompson-Filip. Many jobs aboard the ship See “CPR” page 3