Stennis Assists Coast Guard in Response to Medical Emergency
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060605-02
Release Date: 6/5/2006 8:18:00 AM
By Journalist 1st Class (SW/AW) Christopher C. Fowler, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs
ABOARD USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) participated in a joint rescue effort off the coast of San Diego June 4.
At approximately 8:15 a.m., U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter 6040 from Coast Guard Sector San Diego responded to a medical emergency aboard the charter fishing vessel Holiday involving a 52-year-old male who was apparently suffering a heart attack.
“We heard the call from the fishing boat to the Coast Guard over the bridge-to-bridge [radio],” said Stennis’ Commanding Officer, Capt. Brad E. Johanson. “We notified the Coast Guard that we did not have a helicopter aboard, but we did have medical facilities and offered our assistance.
Within an hour and a half, Stennis reduced the 60-nautical mile gap to within about 15 nautical miles and was standing by to receive the rescue helicopter.
At 9:55 a.m., the Coast Guard helicopter landed on the flight deck of John C. Stennis. Stennis’ medical personnel began a medical evaluation of the patient.
“We confirmed that the patient had no [vital signs] and administered appropriate medications in an attempt to restart [his] heart,” said Stennis’ Senior Medical Officer, Cmdr. Barth Merrill. However, despite the efforts of Stennis' medical personnel, they could not revive him.
“We did everything we could to save [him],” said Johanson over the ship’s announcement system. “Today is a great example of why our training is so important. We were able to switch from a training environment to a joint Coast Guard/Navy operational environment in a matter of minutes. It was a great job by every department.”
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