KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- When seconds mattered most, training, teamwork and quick thinking became the difference between life and death as U.S. Air Force Capt. Zach Siefken, 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron E-3 Sentry pilot and 2nd Lt. Holly Siefken, 18th Medical Group officer in charge of quality assurance, alongside neighbors, helped save the life of a U.S. service member who suffered from a sudden cardiac arrest while playing baseball at Miyagi Park, April 18, 2026.
As designated individuals immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation, others called emergency services, located lifesaving equipment, managed the scene and directed first responders to the park. Zach Siefken retrieved scissors to expose the patient's chest so automated external defibrillator pads could be applied without delay, while Holly Siefken performed chest compressions and assisted with the defibrillator.
The group administered three AED shocks while continuing CPR between each attempt. As emergency responders neared the park, Zach Siefken and another neighbor ran to nearby intersections to intercept the ambulances and guide them directly to the scene.
After nearly 20 minutes of continuous lifesaving efforts, the service member had started to stabilize and began breathing before emergency medical personnel transported them to a local hospital.
"We'd get him back briefly a couple of times, but his heart kept stopping," said Victoria Ritter, one of the neighbors who responded. "It wouldn't have been as successful had it not been for the teamwork that was carried out that day."
The response underscored the importance of immediate action during a cardiac emergency. From performing uninterrupted CPR to retrieving lifesaving equipment and guiding first responders to the scene, every person played a critical role in giving the service member a chance to survive.
“Throughout our careers, we talk about and train for emergency situations like this, but we don’t always know how individuals are going to respond in critical, life-or-death moments,” said Zach Siefken. “It was incredible to see our group jump in and perform without hesitation. From on-scene command to the performance of life-saving CPR and AED shocks, each person held a critical role that led to this young service member surviving that day.”
When seconds mattered most, training, teamwork and quick thinking became the difference between life and death as U.S. Air Force Capt. Zach Siefken, 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron E-3 Sentry pilot and 2nd Lt. Holly Siefken, 18th Medical Group officer in charge of quality assurance, alongside neighbors, helped save the life of a U.S. service member who suffered from a sudden cardiac arrest while playing baseball at Miyagi Park, April 18, 2026.
As designated individuals immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation, others called emergency services, located lifesaving equipment, managed the scene and directed first responders to the park. Zach Siefken retrieved scissors to expose the patient's chest so automated external defibrillator pads could be applied without delay, while Holly Siefken performed chest compressions and assisted with the defibrillator.
The group administered three AED shocks while continuing CPR between each attempt. As emergency responders neared the park, Zach Siefken and another neighbor ran to nearby intersections to intercept the ambulances and guide them directly to the scene.
After nearly 20 minutes of continuous lifesaving efforts, the service member had started to stabilize and began breathing before emergency medical personnel transported them to a local hospital.
"We'd get him back briefly a couple of times, but his heart kept stopping," said Victoria Ritter, one of the neighbors who responded. "It wouldn't have been as successful had it not been for the teamwork that was carried out that day."
The response underscored the importance of immediate action during a cardiac emergency. From performing uninterrupted CPR to retrieving lifesaving equipment and guiding first responders to the scene, every person played a critical role in giving the service member a chance to survive.
“Throughout our careers, we talk about and train for emergency situations like this, but we don’t always know how individuals are going to respond in critical, life-or-death moments,” said Zach Siefken. “It was incredible to see our group jump in and perform without hesitation. From on-scene command to the performance of life-saving CPR and AED shocks, each person held a critical role that led to this young service member surviving that day.”
When seconds mattered most, training, teamwork and quick thinking became the difference between life and death as U.S. Air Force Capt. Zach Siefken, 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron E-3 Sentry pilot and 2nd Lt. Holly Siefken, 18th Medical Group officer in charge of quality assurance, alongside neighbors, helped save the life of a U.S. service member who suffered from a sudden cardiac arrest while playing baseball at Miyagi Park, April 18, 2026.
As designated individuals immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation, others called emergency services, located lifesaving equipment, managed the scene and directed first responders to the park. Zach Siefken retrieved scissors to expose the patient's chest so automated external defibrillator pads could be applied without delay, while Holly Siefken performed chest compressions and assisted with the defibrillator.
The group administered three AED shocks while continuing CPR between each attempt. As emergency responders neared the park, Zach Siefken and another neighbor ran to nearby intersections to intercept the ambulances and guide them directly to the scene.
After nearly 20 minutes of continuous lifesaving efforts, the service member had started to stabilize and began breathing before emergency medical personnel transported them to a local hospital.
"We'd get him back briefly a couple of times, but his heart kept stopping," said Victoria Ritter, one of the neighbors who responded. "It wouldn't have been as successful had it not been for the teamwork that was carried out that day."
The response underscored the importance of immediate action during a cardiac emergency. From performing uninterrupted CPR to retrieving lifesaving equipment and guiding first responders to the scene, every person played a critical role in giving the service member a chance to survive.
“Throughout our careers, we talk about and train for emergency situations like this, but we don’t always know how individuals are going to respond in critical, life-or-death moments,” said Zach Siefken. “It was incredible to see our group jump in and perform without hesitation. From on-scene command to the performance of life-saving CPR and AED shocks, each person held a critical role that led to this young service member surviving that day.