Airman’s vigilance, quick thinking prevents tragedy Published May 31, 2012 By Senior Airman Michael Charles 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST -- While preparing for her night shift, Senior Airman Lanea Trevino, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing command post controller, noticed something odd about the shower stall next to hers. The shower supplies, visible through the half opened curtain, had remained untouched for the entire time she had been there. "It was strange," said Trevino. "I had seen nobody else in the facility so it was odd that an entire set of supplies would be left." While some might dismiss the empty shower stall and shower supplies as a case of forgetfulness, Trevino decided to walk through the facility to be sure. After noticing that one other individual was in a toilet stall, she knocked and asked the person if she had left her shower supplies. There was no response. "I immediately began to worry," said Trevino. "I could see that she was in the stall but wasn't moving." Trevino reached her hand under the stall and shook the girl's leg but there was no response. She quickly peeked under the stall and noticed the Airman was unconscious. Taking immediate action, she ran to the nearest trailer and told the first person she saw to call emergency responders. "My first instinct was to get help," said Trevino. "I couldn't tell if she was breathing or not but I knew that she would need additional medical assistance either way and ran to get it." Fearing the worst, she grabbed a male, who had been walking by on his way to lunch to help her get the unconscious individual out of the stall. The door had been locked from the inside and the only way into the stall was to climb over top of it. The male lifted her over the stall and she opened the door from the inside. Using a fireman carry, Trevino dragged the unresponsive girl out of the stall and laid her flat on the ground. Moments later, paramedics from the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group arrived on scene and begin caring for the individual, who was later diagnosed with severe dehydration. Being vigilant and watching out for your fellow wingman is the responsibility of all Airmen, said Chief Master Sgt. William Harner, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief. "Trevino displayed the ethos we expect from all our Air Force teammates," said Harner. "She paid attention to her surroundings, noticed that something was not right and acted accordingly. Her vigilance yielded a life or death result." The 379th Expeditionary Medical Group suggests proper hydration can help prevent situations like this as summer arrives. Heat related injuries can include dizziness, confusion, heavy breathing or unconsciousness. More than 40 cases of heat related stress injuries were reported around the installation in 2011. "It's hot outside," said Trevino. "It's easy to just overlook drinking water and try and stay out of the sun--but it eventually catches up to you. It's our duty to look out for each other, especially in the summertime when the heat takes its toll on your body." Thanks to Trevino's immediate actions and dedication to the Wingman concept, the service member is due to make a full recovery. "I would expect anyone else to do the same for me," said Trevino. "As Airmen in the U.S. Air Force, we are part of a unique family and you never have to have a reason to look out for your family members." "Anyone can have a bad day," said Harner. "It is when your wingmen are there to look out for you that we all win as an Air Force team."