Cutline: Artisan Jonathan Dell, a volunteer EMT, is an aircraft painter. Photo by Bill Bartkus

Medical emergency handled by artisan

For Jonathan Dell, the day started like any other day for an aircraft painter. Working for a few hours and then his break. But then his day changed!
Dell, Code 6.2.A.1.0.1, was taking his usual break in Building 466 when a contractor entered the lunch room and told him that there was a man sitting down outside who was sweating, dizzy and having difficulty breathing.
Dell rushed outside and asked the artisan if he was OK. “He said he didn’t feel good and was having a hard time breathing,” Dell said. “So I asked someone to get the medical gear from my vehicle.” Dell is a volunteer emergency medical technician for Imperial County and always has his EMT equipment in his vehicle.
“I had someone call 9-1-1 while I helped the victim,” said Dell, who has been with Naval Air Depot North Island for 23 years. By the time federal firefighters arrived on the scene, Dell had recorded the victim’s vital signs and ascertained that the man was suffering from high blood pressure. “I gave the firefighters the man’s vitals which saved them some time,” Dell said. The victim was transported by ambulance to Scripps Mercy Hospital where he was treated for high blood pressure and released later the same day.
He later received a Commanding Officer’s Coin for his adroitness.
“Mr. Dell does a fine job of helping other employees,” said Tom Sapien, Code 6.2.A.1.0.5. “I can always rely upon him in a medical emergency. We at the Paint Facility are lucky to have an artisan with Mr. Dell’s qualifications.”
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