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CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea - Somewhere in the world, a patient
is in need of vital medical attention. They may not have time to
wait for an ambulance to be driven to their location due to time
playing a huge factor between life and death. Such emergencies
require quick responses and, rest assured, there are people standing
by to answer that call.
Sgt. Lisa A. Rodriguez, a flight
medic stationed in South Korea, is one of those people. She serves
her fellow Soldiers in need on the battlefield and at home. Similar
to her civilian counterparts, Rodriguez utilizes a helicopter to
treat and transport the injured. In her case, she is part of a UH-60
Black Hawk helicopter crew. This aircraft is equipped with special
crew and equipment ready to carry out rapid medical responses.
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Army Sgt. Lisa A. Rodriguez, a flight medic with Company C, 3rd
General Support Aviation Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd
Infantry Division, in front of the aircraft she is
assigned to at Camp Humphreys, South Korea on April 10, 2014.
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Abril)
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“It's our job to get a patient from the point of injury
to the hospital within that golden hour,” said Rodriguez.
“We stabilize them along the way until we can get them into
the hands of a doctor.”
Rodriguez, a seven-year Army
veteran currently serving with Company C, 3rd General
Support Aviation Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd
Infantry Division, and native of Raeford, N.C., wears many
hats as a flight medic.
“Although I'm the primary medic on board our aircraft, I
also perform crew duties alongside the crew chiefs who
maintain the aircraft,” Rodriguez said.
Those duties
include assisting her team and ensuring safe movement of the
helicopter which requiring a constant visual of airspace
during flights and landings.
Aside from her crew
duties, Rodriguez must continuously train to maintain her
medical certifications, which include Basic Life Support,
Trauma Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support,
Emergency Medical Services and Advanced Cardiovascular Life
Support to name a few. Rodriguez is required to re-certify
annually and bi-annually, in the end, it's all worth it to
her.
“Coming to work every day is like a love affair.
I enjoy my job, and I enjoy training for my job,” said
Rodriguez. “When you love what you do, you strive to do it
even better.”
While she loves her job, Rodriguez says
there are some parts of the job that are less desirable.
“The worst part of this job is the blood,” said
Rodriguez. “It doesn't bother me, but it does get messy and
it gets everywhere so there is a lot of cleanup involved.”
Rodriguez also explained that treating children is also
an emotionally difficult aspect that flight medics deal
with.
As difficult as this job may sound, Rodriguez
and her counterparts are very enthusiastic to carry out
their mission with the only combat aviation brigade on the
peninsula.
If you see a yellow-striped UH-60 Black
Hawk helicopter with the red cross symbol flying by, it just
might be Rodriquez and her team of lifesavers.
By U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Abril
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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