NFAC mechanic survives choking incident Published May 25, 2010 By Shawn Jacobs AEDC/PA ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- Kent Griffin was eating lunch in his cubicle at AEDC's National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex at Moffett Field, Calif. on May 18 when a piece of pork tenderloin became lodged in this throat. The situation could have proved fatal, but Griffin's fellow mechanics sprang into action and are credited with saving his life. NFAC Safety Engineer Jeff Law said Griffin first tried to dislodge the obstruction by forcefully coughing but was unable to do so. He then went to the next cubicle belonging to Todd Fuller and showed signs of not being able to breathe and pointed to his throat. Fuller recognized Griffin's situation and without hesitation performed six-to-eight abdominal thrusts and requested help from Tom Wade, who was in his nearby cubicle. According to Law, Wade placed a 911 call to Moffett Field Emergency Services but noticed that Fuller was getting tired. Wade then handed the phone to fellow mechanic Oscar Joson and told him to request emergency services to respond to their location. Wade then applied three more abdominal thrusts and noticed that Griffin was showing signs of being able to talk and take small breaths. Wade instructed Griffin to relax so he could breathe easier and to sit down and wait for emergency services. "Police arrived first and performed an initial assessment and updated emergency services on the situation," Law said. "Paramedics arrived moments later and checked all his vital signs." The Ames Health Unit doctor and nurse arrived later to complete a thorough assessment of Griffin. They cleared him to return to work without any restrictions. The doctor said the quick action by Fuller and Wade clearly prevented a more serious outcome. Procedures and training put into place at NFAC expedited the arrival of emergency services, according to Law. At a follow-up later in the day, Griffin, who's been employed at NFAC for 16 months, said his lower rib area was sore and bruised, but otherwise he felt fine. "Todd and Tom should be given capes for being superheroes," Griffin said. The mechanics' response - without hesitation and staying calm throughout the ordeal - is an indication of their training, professionalism and caring for their fellow employee's safety, according to Law. "Following the training on emergency response procedures expedited the arrival of emergency services," Law said. "During the interview process, I noticed a high sense of pride and accomplishment by the three mechanics that they had done a good job with positive results. "This is typical for the entire NFAC staff; they are always looking out for their fellow employees and will intervene if they notice something is not safe or [is] out of the ordinary." All four mechanics are Jacobs Technology, Inc. employees, involved with facility maintenance and wind tunnel operations. They work under the Aerospace Testing and Facilities Operation/Maintenance (ATOM) contract at NASA Ames Research Center at NFAC, the world's largest wind tunnel. Fuller has two years of service at NFAC and Wade is a four-year veteran of the facility. Joson, who completed the call to emergency services, has also been at NFAC for four years. Mechanics completed their first aid/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training Sept. 30, a requirement for their job duties that include confined space entry and safety observers during circuit breaker racking, according to Law. Fuller said he was always interested in being trained in first aid, but his previous job at a motorcycle shop did not require it. "I feel good that I received the training and was able to perform the maneuver correctly and make a difference," Fuller said. Wade had been trained in first aid/CPR with his previous company. He said Fuller performed the maneuver correctly and his actions most likely released the obstruction so Griffin could swallow it. Wade had performed the same maneuver on his wife two years ago while she was choking on a chicken bone, with the same life-saving results. Joson's initial first aid/CPR training dates back 15 years from his time in the military. He said his only experience in using his training was from drills.