Off duty but always on call: CAVHCS nurse anesthetists save a life during a lunch break emergency
By Tramel Garrett, Public Affairs Specialist
It was supposed to be a quiet lunch break away from the clinic—a brief, ordinary moment to decompress from the high-stakes environment of the operating room.
But for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Christopher L. Wieser and William S. Boehm, duty didn't pause just because they stepped off the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) Montgomery Campus.
The clatter of silverware and the low, steady hum of afternoon conversation were suddenly pierced by a frantic, desperate plea from the restaurant owners: A man had collapsed.
In that fraction of a second, the two providers didn't hesitate. They abandoned their meals and sprinted toward the chaos, transforming a standard lunch break into a life-or-death emergency where they relied on their extensive training to perform heroic actions.
A seamless, critical response
"When the owner called for help, I immediately started to think of different possible scenarios, including the man choking on food, a heart attack, or low blood sugar," said Wieser.
When they reached the table, they found the man sitting in his chair, head slumped forward, turning purple, and not breathing. After confirming with the man's friends that he hadn't started eating, the pair went right to work.
"Coordination kind of happened naturally," said Boehm. "We jumped on the airway first, then I started checking pulses and helping with positioning, getting ready to start chest compressions if needed, while Chris continued with airway management."
With the man's face turning blue and no definitive pulse, they carefully transferred him to the floor. Suddenly, the man began moving his left hand, and Boehm was finally able to find a weak pulse.
Because the man's airway was obstructed every time Wieser let go, he had to manually maintain a chin lift and jaw thrust to keep him breathing for nearly 10 minutes until Montgomery Fire Department medics arrived. Meanwhile, Boehm noticed a critical detail: the man wasn't moving his right side. When paramedics arrived, Boehm immediately advised them that the man was likely having a stroke and needed rapid transport.
Comforting the community and serving Veterans
The sudden medical crisis left the man's friends understandably shaken. Boehm made sure to comfort them before leaving the scene.
"They thanked us and said they didn't know what to do," Boehm said. "I told them not to be upset at themselves because they aren't medical professionals, and calling for help early was a lot of help."
Both providers credit their daily roles at the Montgomery Campus for their readiness to jump into action without their normal equipment.
"Being a CRNA means being an airway expert, and that is what we do every day, on top of monitoring vital signs and using medications to treat issues that could harm the patient," Wieser explained.
In a remarkable twist, the providers later learned the man whose life they saved was a Veteran.
"As a VA employee, I am glad we could be there to help someone in the community," said Boehm. "It was neat to help a Veteran outside of the VA."
CAVHCS Executive Director Amir Farooqi praised the providers for their selflessness and elite clinical skills.
"They clearly demonstrated that staff are ready and willing to step up when needed," said Farooqi. "We are incredibly proud of their dedication to preserving life, whether they are on duty caring for Veterans or out in the local community."