On August 15, 2017, in Shreveport La., Senior Airman Austin Northcott, 26th Operational Weather Squadron weather journeyman, saved a man’s life by performing CPR until he had regained a pulse, treated him for shock and looked after him until emergency medical services arrived.
While driving home, Northcott was stopped at an intersection. While looking around he saw an older gentleman fall to the ground. Northcott then sprang into action to try to save the man’s life.
“I called 911, put them on speaker phone and started giving CPR for about 15 to 20 minutes until the ambulance arrived and took over,” Northcott said. “By that point he had been recovered for about five minutes.”
Northcott had medical training during his yearlong Special Operations Weather training as well as CPR training through his squadron.
“To not know who they were or what was going on but to actively save a fellow human being’s life is outstanding,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Kehoe, 26th OWS commander.
Even when the uniform comes off, Airmen still will do what it takes to protect and save lives.
“He’s a human. People see color or race, I don’t do that. You just got to see a person for a person and do what needs to be done,” Northcott said.