Key West Mayor Teri Johnston, Red Cross Greater Miami and The Keys board member Matthew Helmerich, Red Cross Greater Miami and The Keys Executive Director Deborah Koch, U.S. Navy Petty Officers Josh Scholtens, Eric Robichaud, Zach Vandeventer and Naval Air Station Key West Commander Captain Mark Sohaney.

The American Red Cross Recognizes Three U.S. Navy Petty Officers with Lifesaving Awards for Saving Two Lives

KEY WEST, Fla. (January 31, 2022) – On Friday, January 28, the Greater Miami & The Keys Chapter of the American Red Cross recognized U.S. Navy Petty Officers HM3 Zach Vandeventer, AWS2 Eric Robichaud and HM2 Josh Scholtens with Lifesaving Awards for using lifesaving skills to save two lives.

Emergencies can happen at any time: in the grocery store, at a family gathering, at the community pool, or even at your own home or office. But regardless of when and where they occur, emergency situations usually have one thing in common: a crowd of people standing around, watching someone in distress—wondering who should act and trying to remember what to do.

On June 20, 2021, while playing a game of volleyball at Baby’s Coffee in Key West, Fla. Zach, Eric and Josh heard the sound of two vehicles colliding on Highway U.S. One. Without hesitating they immediately instructed a bystander to call 911 and sprang into action. Zach proceeded to the collision, while Josh and Eric went to retrieve medical gear. As the first one on scene, Zach saw an elderly woman in the center lane falling from her vehicle. Zach quickly assessed her spine and bones before moving her to safety. He then performed a medical assessment noting chest and face trauma, trouble breathing, wheezing and severe chest pain. Zach could see it was clear that she was in severe respiratory distress. He continued to assist the elderly woman by keeping her upright where her breathing was the least labored, while using his body to take strain off of her. Zach also made the quick decision to immobilize her spine by placing a c-collar on her and moving her to a gurney when EMS arrived. While Zach tended to the elderly woman, Josh and Eric assisted the individual in the second vehicle. They saw that both driver side doors were destroyed and the driver’s airbag was still inflated. Josh and Eric immediately punctured and cut away the airbag. Josh then performed a medical assessment and noticed the individual sustained a leg injury. Eric placed a c-collar on the individual and stayed with her until EMS arrived, making sure to never leave her side. 

Due to the quick actions of these three individuals, they were able to save two lives. 

For their incredible act of service and quick actions, U.S. Navy Petty Officers HM3 Zach Vandeventer, AWS2 Eric Robichaud and HM2 Josh Scholtens were awarded the American Red Cross Lifesaving Certificate of Merit Award during a ceremony at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Key West, Fla. attended by fellow service members, Red Cross staff and board members. This award is bestowed upon individuals who step up during a time of emergency to alleviate suffering and save or sustain a life.

“Josh, Zach and Eric are extraordinary heroes that embody the spirit of the Red Cross. Their quick and decisive actions during a crisis demonstrate the highest level of courage,“ said Deborah Koch, Executive Director of the Red Cross Greater Miami and The Keys Chapter. “They are now among a very special group of people worldwide who have received this honor and we commend them for their heroic actions.”

Take a First Aid and CPR Course online to learn what to do in case emergency help is delayed. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session), and classroom courses are also available. To learn more and get started, visit redcross.org/takeaclass.

NOMINATE SOMEONE

If you know of a local hero in your community or group of individuals who used Red Cross skills or training to save or sustain a life, you can nominate them at LifesavingAwards.org.

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