An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

380AEW Article

380th AEW Airman aids another

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amanda Savannah
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Most people never expect medical emergencies to happen to them or those close to them. Less are prepared to stay calm and help.

Airman 1st Class Anastasia Raiford, 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron fitness center specialist, recently learned she's part of that minority.

"I was with one of my friends. She was saying she was feeling a little dizzy and she hadn't really eaten anything since that afternoon," said Raiford, who is deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

Raiford was driving back to the main base complex with her friend after a partnership event with the host nation. She encouraged her friend to drink some water and suggested a stop at the dining facility upon their return to base.

"I was talking to her, trying to get her to talk to me because she was kind of out of it," said the St. Louis native. "I asked her if she was ok and told her to drink down more water."

Raiford asked her friend again when the last time it was she ate. The response was 12:30 p.m. - the current time was more than 12 hours later.

"I said, 'We're going straight to the DFAC as soon as we get back'," Raiford said. But her friend's condition worsened before they made it there.

"All of a sudden she gets really quiet. I said (her name), and it was almost like she couldn't hear me," Raiford said. "Before I could get through the gate, she just slumps over and passes out on my shoulder."

Raiford put the vehicle in park and was trying to awaken her friend when she recognized some of her coworkers driving into and parking in a parking lot in front of her. She honked the horn to get their attention.

Raiford said her friend finally opened her eyes, but was not coherent. She was directed to drive a few meters to the fire station, where she honked for assistance until fire fighters came to her aid.

Through the whole ordeal, Raiford kept her composure as she helped her friend.

"I was completely terrified, but the whole point was getting her some help," she said. "I just knew that's what I had to do even though I was scared."

Staff Sgt. Michelle Pagel, 380th EFSS fitness center specialist and Raiford's supervisor, said she is very proud of her.

"Airman Raiford's quick reaction to the situation was vital in her fellow Airman's speedy recovery," said Pagel, who is a Minneapolis native and is deployed from the Minnesota Air National Guard. "Her reaction to the situation was not surprising because of her close relationship with her fellow Airman, and this reflects her level of empathy."

Raiford credits her military training and a previous similar experience with helping her be prepared for this situation.

"Somebody passed out on me when we were in basic training in our chem (chemical) gear," she said. "That situation also prepared me for this one. It kind of gave me a head's up for what it's going to be like."

However, she said she still learned something from this recent experience.

"I learned to be aware of my surroundings. The fire station was right there," she said. "Next time, if I am in close proximity to another building that's medical I'll just go straight there, because anything could have happened to her in that five seconds between the fire station and my stopping point."

Raiford also offered a word of advice to wing members to try to prevent these types of emergencies from occurring.

"Everybody stay hydrated," she said.