From left to right are STSO Shivam Chopra, LTSO Harry Specht and LTSO Brian Clausen
SEATTLE - What started out as a busy Friday morning of Labor Day weekend turned into an unexpected lifesaving opportunity for a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
Lead TSA officer (LTSO) Harry Specht was performing routine screening duties in Security Checkpoint 3 at SEA around 9 a.m. A male traveler was removing items from his carry-on luggage when suddenly, the traveler grabbed his forehead, fell backwards striking his head and laid motionless on the floor.
Others in the security checkpoint saw what had occurred and were stunned, but it was LTSO Specht who immediately stepped forward to tend to the traveler. Within one minute, he had assessed the traveler’s vital signs and began chest compressions.
LTSO Specht called for his TSA colleagues to get an automated external defibrillator (AED), which can be used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. Within two minutes, LTSO Specht had activated the AED and began using it on the traveler who then showed signs that the treatment was working. A few minutes later, the Port of Seattle Fire Department (POSFD) arrived on the scene and took control of the situation.
“This is a case of being in the right place at the right time,” said LTSO Specht. “While in the U.S. Army, I received combat life saver training and I have maintained my certifications in CPR and First Aid. You train for days like this and I am grateful that my actions saved a life.”
While the event was ongoing, LTSO Brian Clausen and Supervisory TSO Shivam Chopra set up a perimeter around the incident and rerouted travelers away from the location, minimizing disruptions to the screening process.
“This was an extremely stressful situation for everyone involved, but it is also a great example of how TSA’s commitment and professionalism extends beyond our traditional security duties and positively impacts the well-being of the traveling public,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Washington Greg Hawko. “I commend LTSO Specht for selflessly coming to the aid of a traveler who was unexpectedly in a life or death situation. I also want to thank LTSO Clausen and STSO Chopra for their leadership and swift response that allowed for the POSFD to stabilize the traveler and prepare him for transport to a local medical center. I could not be more pleased with the actions of these employees.”
“Very few people have the opportunity to say they’ve saved a life and LTSO Specht’s actions directly resulted in a life being spared. We have the highest save rate in the world at our airport because our partners throughout the airport are trained and take actions quickly,” said Port of Seattle Fire Chief Randy Krause.
After about 30 minutes, the traveler was conscious and able to communicate with POSFD personnel before being transported from the security checkpoint to a local medical center. Further information on the condition of the traveler is unavailable.
On Monday, September 5, 2022, TSOs from Presque Isle International Airport in Maine also stepped in to save a life. After seeing a sanitation trucker driver at the airport who was unresponsive, they rendered CPR and used an AED on the individual. Local emergency medical services personnel responded and the driver was then medevacked to a local medical center in eastern Maine. The current condition of the truck driver is unknown.
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