HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- It’s a normal Friday afternoon in an office on base. Suddenly, a coworker clutches their chest and collapses. They aren't breathing. Panic begins to set in, but then you remember the training. You remember the box on the wall. While someone else calls 911, you begin chest compressions. Another colleague retrieves the automated external defibrillator. In these critical moments, long before an ambulance can arrive, the actions of coworkers have become the single most important factor in saving a life.
This scenario highlights an emphasis for base leaders and first responders: empowering the workforce to bridge the gap between a sudden cardiac arrest and the arrival of medical professionals. With over 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring in the U.S. annually, according to the American Red Cross, immediate and effective bystander action is the key to survival.
“The reality is that the first few minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest are the most critical,” said Joe Schilling, a paramedic with Hill AFB Fire & Emergency Services. “For every minute that passes without chest compressions, the chance of survival drops significantly. We can have the best response time in the world, but what you do before we get there makes all the difference.”
Confidence through training
According to the American Heart Association, immediate CPR can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival. Yet, in the face of an emergency, the fear of doing the wrong thing often causes fatal hesitation. The key to overcoming that fear, Schilling said, is training.
"Confidence is built through training, and that confidence is what saves lives," he said. "It’s what allows a person to immediately call 911 while simultaneously directing someone else to grab the AED. It’s what gives you the muscle memory to start chest compressions without delay."
While full certification is the goal, Schilling stressed that even untrained bystanders can act. For an adult who has collapsed, the official hands-only CPR protocol is simple: first, call 911, then push hard and fast in the center of the chest until help arrives.
“It is far better to act than to hesitate,” Schilling said.
A common misconception is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. A heart attack is a circulation problem; a cardiac arrest is an electrical problem that stops the heart completely. While chest compressions manually circulate blood, an AED is the tool that can correct the heart's electrical rhythm.
“Knowing the location of your unit's AED should be treated with the same importance as knowing where the nearest fire extinguisher is,” said Maj. Wendy Gruber, Hill’s Public Assistance Defibrillator program coordinator. “It is a fundamental component of workplace safety.”
Planning, placement, and preparedness
She noted that AEDs are most effective when paired with a unit’s ability to support regular training and maintenance, which is why placement is approached thoughtfully rather than universally.
For units that wish to acquire an AED, the process starts with contacting the PAD program coordinator at 801-777-5001. As part of that process, the unit works with the coordinator and medical director to complete a risk assessment, ensuring an AED is recommended for that specific environment before one is purchased by the unit.
“Every unit should establish a comprehensive emergency response plan, ensuring that all members are thoroughly trained and fully understand their individual roles and responsibilities within the plan,” Gruber said.
The equipment is only as effective as the people trained to use it, Gruber said. That includes keeping the device ready for use through routine checks and ensuring personnel remain familiar with how to operate it.
“Our mission is to protect our greatest resource: our people," said Schilling. “When you get trained, you aren't just protecting yourself; you're protecting the teammate to your left and your right. You become a vital part of that mission.”
To learn more about CPR and find a certification class, resources are available from the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.