Civilian Airman relies on training to save a life

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Dachelle Melville
  • 307th Bomb Wing
Barksdale Air Force Base, La. --  A Staff Sergeant assigned to the 307th Maintenance Squadron works as a non-destructive inspector two days a month in the Air Force Reserve. During the week Staff Sgt. Cassi Banks works full time as a pharmacy technician for a drug store in Haughton, Louisiana.

"Sergeant Banks has to have a sharp mind to inspect the frame of a B-52 like a physician inspects the skeleton of a human body," said Master Sgt. Ryan Sullivan, her Reserve supervisor. "It seems both her jobs require a great amount of attention to detail."

On the morning of April 4th, Cassi was working alongside the staff pharmacist, Elva Romero. That morning Elva was having trouble breathing. She has allergy induced asthma, which was triggered by an unknown source.  She was following the protocol her doctor has prescribed but her breathing was not getting any better

Cassi's training in Self-Aid and Buddy Care kicked in.  She retrieved an Epi-pen from the pharmacy first aid kit for Elva to self-administer and called 911.

"She fell on the floor gasping for air. I ran over to her and her entire face and neck were swollen. Her eyes were bloodshot and she kept trying to swallow her tongue. She could barely make out a sentence. I honestly thought she was going to die, but I couldn't let that happen."

"The only thing I kept thinking was that I can't let her die. That's NOT an option right now. She was my responsibility. I had to keep her alive."  Cassi then helped keep Elva calm to control her breathing and prevent shock until the paramedics arrived.

Cassi's ability to assess the situation and take immediate action helped to save Elva's life. Elva later stated that "It was scary." She knew that Cassi had received training from the Reserves and that had helped Cassi keep her cool and be able to help her.

Cassi explained, "I remembered everything I was taught. It was like it was second nature for me to help her.  It was my duty to help her."