By Chief Utilitiesman Malcolm Gamble, Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering Public Affairs
PORT HUENEME, Calif. Eight Seabees from Naval Construction Training Center Port Hueneme (NCTC PH) were recognized during command quarters, Nov. 20, for their lifesaving efforts.
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Seabees assigned to Naval Construction Training Center Port Hueneme pose for a photo with Lt. Rodney Inciong and his wife. The Seabees received Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals or letters of commendation for their lifesaving efforts when Inciong experienced a medical emergency. (Courtesy U.S. Navy photo)
As the group of NCTC PH Seabees gathered for physical training during the early morning of Nov. 6 onboard Naval Base Ventura County, they came to the aid of a service member experiencing a medical emergency.
When Utilitiesman 2nd Class Matthew Cohara pulled into a parking spot, he found Lt. Rodney Inciong of Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1 unconscious on the ground next to his truck. Cohara, a utilitiesman instructor at NCTC PH, shouted to his students and fellow instructors on a nearby field to call for an ambulance.
He looked lifeless, and I feared I was already too late, said Cohara. I immediately checked his pulse, and that's when I felt my heart sink to my stomach. He had no pulse.
As the other Seabees rushed over to help, Cohara began CPR and was soon assisted by Utilitiesman 1st Class Sergio Munoz and then Utilitiesman 3rd Class Taina Anderson. Construction Mechanic 1st Class Joshua Thomas ran to a nearby building to retrieve an automated external defibrillator, which they used, along with CPR, to resuscitate Inciong.
Utilitiesman 2nd Class Nakarla Haughton and Joshua Nikkel were instrumental in calling 911, while Utilitiesman 2nd Class Collin Morgan and Utilitiesman 3rd Class Dakota Nordmeyer helped guide emergency responders and vehicles to the scene.
When the ambulance arrived, the emergency medical technicians took over and transported Inciong to the hospital.
"I am alive and standing today because of the men and women who jumped in and saved my life without hesitation, said Inciong, while addressing NCTC PH and the team of eight Seabees. My family and I sincerely thank everyone who was involved with saving me and helping with my recovery.
Capt. Mike Saum, NCG 1 commodore, presented Munoz, Thomas, Cohara and Anderson with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Haughton, Nikkel, Morgan and Nordmeyer with a letter of commendation.