Altus responders save chief's life

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Seidl
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Airmen and staff at the Altus Fitness Center saved a life Aug. 9.

Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Zahn, 97th Operations Group, was on a treadmill when he collapsed at the base gym. Airmen in the cardio room with him and staff members at the fitness center were quick to respond.

"I was riding the recumbent bike...and the member was walking on the treadmill. I heard squeaking as his shoes were dragging (on) the belt and I looked up, and his legs went out from under him. He collapsed forward on the treadmill then flew off the back," said Airman 1st Class Andrew Thurman, 97th Civil Engineer Squadron, who was in the room when Chief Zahn collapsed.

"It looked like he landed on his back and then hit his head against the bike. I could see that he wasn't really breathing. As soon as I saw him coming off the back of the treadmill I got off the bike and gave him a quick look to see if he was breathing and asked if he was all right. He did not respond."

Master Sgt. Jarrod Thomas, 97CES, was one of the first people on the scene. "I was walking by the cardio room; I thought there was an exercise going on, but when I looked closer the person on the floor was very pale and you can't simulate that in an exercise so I knew something was not right. I threw off my gym bag and rushed over to see if I could help."

Chief Zahn was still unresponsive.

"Unfortunately, I don't have much recollection of what happened on Aug. 9. The only portion of the day I remember is heading into the gym at 11 a.m. to start my work out on a treadmill," said Chief Zahn from his home where he was recovering.

Airman Thurman quickly called for help; the fitness center staff responded, calling 911 and assessing the chief's condition.

"I felt a rush of adrenaline, like I had to do something and then all the CPR training that I have received over the years started kicking in all at once. I had to calm down and listen to his body and what the people around me where saying," said Sergeant Thomas. "Someone said he had a faint pulse so I could not use the defibrillator because I did not want to disturb his natural heart rhythm. So I was going to elevate his feet and clear his airway and hope that was enough until EMS could arrive."

Emergency medical services did arrive quickly and took over the patient who was still unresponsive.

"I felt nervous mostly. I realized a life was in our hands and we all had to act to have a chance at saving our patient," said responder Airman 1st Class Devin Leatherman, 97CES. "I can't say that there was any one thing that made this work. It was a combination of everyone's efforts. From the early 911 call to the defibrillation and Jackson County EMS's response it all came together. It was truly a team effort."

Chief Zahn was transported by Jackson County Memorial Hospital. "The doctors said I suffered a heart attack due to unknown blockages in my arteries. Initially, my prognosis was extremely grave; however, due to the heroic efforts of all of my Wingmen, I am expected to make a full recovery," he said.

On Aug. 31, wing commander Col. Ty Thomas honored the witnesses, fitness staff, and EMS personnel in the Wing conference room. Colonel Thomas presented a commander's challenge coin to the responders, and Chief Zahn offered his personal thanks.

"I really didn't feel at the time of the incident, I immediately went into a zone of what we have been trained on for all these years," said Jeremy Stevens, Fitness Center director and one of the responders. "I really feel thankful for the coin but it's not about a coin at the end of the day. It's about helping people, that's our job at the fitness center, to assist people in any way we can. The greatest help I had during the emergency was that my professional staff was assisting me in this emergency. My staff performed at 110 percent the day of this emergency."

"It was great to get a coin but it was even better to see Chief Zahn and getting to shake his hand," said Senior Airman Zacherie Miller, 97CES.

"In my case, my Wingmen had obviously practiced and exercised because their execution was flawless! Their heroic efforts saved my life and for that I am eternally grateful! Wow! My family and I are so very blessed and honored to be part of such a great extended Air Force family," said Chief Zahn.