Sgt. David Wrightson was upstairs at the Juneau International Airport terminal near the TSA screening area just after 6 o’clock on Monday morning when a building-wide page alerted him to a disturbance near the first floor entry area near the stairs.
When he arrived at the scene, he found a man lying on the ground and unresponsive. Other travelers standing around the victim didn’t know if the man had tripped or fallen, or if he collapsed because of a health issue.
Wrightson said the man, identified by Juneau Police only as an 81-year-old, was not breathing and had no pulse. The man’s coworker and traveling companion indicated that he recently had heart surgery.
So, Wrightson enlisted someone else to help him with CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Wrightson asked the assistant to open up the victim’s airway while he started chest compressions. He said it wasn’t long before the man gasped for air, took a big breath, and then started breathing on his own.
He opened his eyes. He didn’t say anything. But he started to get color back to his face. And, by then — a couple minutes later — CCFR showed up.”
Wrightson says he doesn’t know the man, but he was partially conscious as he was taken to the hospital by EMTs from Capital City Fire/Rescue.
“I was relieved for sure,” said Wrightson. “He’s not breathing and he’s getting cold. It was great and wonderful when he gasped for air. I was just thinking: ‘Keep breathing, keep breathing.’ And, he did. I was very grateful that I was there and able to help him.”
Wrightson said he retrains on CPR techniques on a regular basis.
Capital City Fire/Rescue said Wrightson’s quick action saved the man’s life.
At last report, the patient was all right and wanted to meet Wrightson.
I’ve since learned that he was a Navy SEAL. Everyone’s saying I’m a hero. I’m no hero,” Wrightson said. “He’s a hero in my book. So, I was glad I was there to help him.”
