The helicopter crew medevaced and resuscitated an ailing 60-year-old man from a tanker vessel 90 miles southeast of Corpus Christi.
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi photo.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Coast Guard MH-65 crew medevac and resuscitates a 60-year-old man from a tanker vessel 90 nautical miles southeast of Corpus Christi, Texas, Wednesday.
Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi watchstanders received a call at approximately 9:36 a.m. from the captain of the tanker vessel Beatrice requesting a medevac (medical evacuation) for a crew member reportedly experiencing trouble breathing and abdominal pain. Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon, who recommended a medevac.
Watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi MH-65 Dolphin Short-Range Recovery Helicopter aircrew and HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew to assist.
The MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew arrived on scene, safely hoisted the patient and transported him to CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi – Shoreline. While en route, the patient’s condition deteriorated, prompting Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Luke Mathews, a certified EMT and rescue swimmer aboard the helicopter, to perform CPR. Mathews resuscitated the man and the aircrew transferred the patient to awaiting emergency medical services (EMS) personnel at the hospital.
En route to CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi – Shoreline, rescue swimmer Petty Officer 2nd Class Luke Mathews performed #CPR on the man, resuscitating him before transferring him to awaiting emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Corpus Christi video.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi.
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area.
U.S. Coast Guard Heartland.
Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Department of Homeland Security.
At the time of transfer, the patient was reportedly in critical condition.
«I’m grateful that my training kicked during such an intense situation,» said Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Luke Mathews. «My goal was to do whatever I could to help the patient.»
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