SABC, CPR educates to save lives

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - --  While on vacation with family and friends, Staff Sgt. Jacob Foster, 2nd Maintenance Group instructor, used his training to help his brother.

Foster's father slammed on brakes to avoid hitting a deer that crossed onto the road. Foster's friend, driving a vehicle close behind, wasn't able to brake in time and rear-ended the vehicle in front of him.

When the vehicles came to a stop, Foster noticed his brother, who was riding in the back seat, shaking uncontrollably. His eyes had rolled back in his head.

Foster, also a self-aid and buddy care instructor, noticed the signs of shock and provided immediate treatment in the vehicle.

Foster and others on Barksdale provide SABC training to Airmen because it is an Air Force requirement, and Airmen have the tools they need to provide immediate emergency care whether in the comfort of home or under fire downrange.

"We teach SABC and CPR here so that... whether you're deployed or at home and someone were to get hurt, we could provide care to save lives," Foster said. "[Students] also learn care while under fire and bleeding control."

According to Air Force Instruction 36-2644: Self-Aid and Buddy Care Training: All Air Force personnel and designated civilian employees, regardless of duty location, are required to receive both computer-based and hands-on SABC training to maintain current records for deployment or a permanent change of station.

"When [Airmen] deploy, they'll go through an extensive amount of [first-aid] training before they depart," Foster said. "I teach them not to worry too much because I'm available to answer any questions they have now."
However, SABC and CPR aren't only skills Airmen are expected to know and perform downrange.

"For example, if someone's on the flightline and they slip and fall off a ladder with a wrench and hit their hand, using SABC training, we can wrap the wound up and get them off the flightline and sent to the emergency room where they can receive further medical care," he added.

While SABC and CPR can be performed anywhere, Airmen are required to receive SABC training regularly in accordance with their deployment tempo band and CPR certification is valid for two years.

"CPR is by far one of the most useful methods for keeping someone alive when they go into cardiac arrest," said Foster. "You're acting as that person's heart when you give compressions. If someone goes into cardiac arrest, you can act on what you know, fall back on your training and potentially save that person's life."

Foster advises Airmen to apply what they learn in training to everyday life.

"Some people have children," he said. "What do children do? They trip and fall, hurt themselves or get into things. You have to be aware of them constantly. If you're not, you can risk causing further injury by not using what you've learned."

By completing SABC and CPR training, Airmen are not only fulfilling a regular career requirement, but are better prepared to take care of each other in order to continue providing decisive nuclear deterrence and conventional firepower to combatant commanders for global strike operations.