Guardian of the Week – AST3 Christopher Austin

Friday, December 31, 2010

Posted by: LT Connie Braesch

With contributions from PA3 Kelly Parker.

AST3 Christopher Austin

AST3 Christopher Austin saved the life of a fisherman on his first rescue as a qualified Coast Guard rescue swimmer. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA3 Kelly Parker.

The Coast Guard trains its people to be Always Ready and that training is never more important than on your first search and rescue case. On Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Austin’s first duty day as a Coast Guard rescue swimmer there was no time for uncertainty – a vessel had capsized in the Pacific northwest’s icy waters and he was being called upon to save lives.

Austin and an aircrew from Air Station Astoria were airborne when the report came in that a fishing vessel had capsized with two people aboard.

With only two miles of visibility, the aircrew diverted to the opening of Willapa Bay, Wash. and spotted a debris field. The aircraft commander, Lt. Benjamin Schluckebier, turned the helicopter around to follow the debris field. That’s when despite the fact neither fisherman was wearing a life jacket, the aircraft flight mechanic, Petty Officer 2nd Class Andre Altavilla, noticed a person in the water.

“The boater rapidly deteriorated from swimming, to barely keeping his head out of the water, to being under for 10 seconds at a time when getting hit by waves, to face down in the water and not moving,” recalls Schluckebier.

Austin was lowered into the 45-degree water, and although he was on his first case on his first day of duty, the agitated waters showed no mercy as he attempted to reach the now unresponsive fisherman.

“Everything that was going through my head was all the training that I’ve had in the past two years and especially throughout A-school,” recalls Austin. “As soon as I grabbed him, I put my arms up underneath him, and a wave hit me with so much force my goggles came up off my face. I kept working, kept trying to get this guy’s head above the water.”

Austin was pummeled by waves, but with support from Altavilla who was paying out his cable, he was able to shelter the fisherman. After the ready signal was given, Austin and the unconscious fisherman were hoisted into the helicopter.

Once safely inside the cabin, Altavilla and Austin administered CPR and the man began to breathe once again.

Although Austin was the one deployed in the water, he credits the rescue to the teamwork of his aircrew.

“I didn’t see this guy – the flight mechanic found him. I didn’t jump out of the plane – I got hoisted down by the decision of the pilot. I didn’t do CPR by myself – I was gassed after getting hit by all those waves,” said Austin. “My biggest thing is that you’re not the hero, you’re not the one saving people. It’s the guys that you’re with who have your back and you have to have their back just as much to get the job done.”

Despite saving a life his first day on the job, Austin learned a hard lesson; after an extensive six-hour search for the second fisherman, by both air and surface rescue crews, the search was suspended.

“We couldn’t get the other guy and I was kind of beating myself up about that. We did everything we could to get there,” said Austin.

Thinking about the lost fisherman, it was Austin’s family who put things in perspective for the young rescue swimmer.

“When I got off the phone with my dad on Christmas my fiancé said to me, ‘You know that he [the fisherman] gets to be at home with his family for Christmas.’”

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  • Robert McGill

    The saving of this one life is such a great accomplishment. And to bring joy and happiness to his family.Is a great testament to the dedication and training of the United States Coast Guard. From an ex coastie and now a family member (my son) serving on the USCGC Thetis. You make us proud. Great work.

  • Michael Gattrell

    Our prayers go out to the fisherman lost at sea. Thank you petty officer Austin for the time and hard work you put in to becoming a RS.

  • AMTCS Pete MacDougall

    Happy New Year AST3 Austin and Crew!
    ‘Sounds like you and your crew had quite a case. This is a great write-up and a terrific story of outstanding teamwork; This is how our CG crews make incredible things happen. As for the second half, bless you guys for trying your best. It’s not easy work that we do, especially when the circumstances progress beyond our capabilities to perform miracles. I know it’s very difficult to lose someone.
    In the meantime, keep up the good work, and be safe out there.
    AMTCS Mac

  • Tom Teare

    Chris – Acknowledging your team and your remorse for the one you couldn’t save examplifies what the CG is all about.

  • Thomas J. Lavey, HS1

    Awesome Job Petty Officer Austin!

    What a great case with a great outcome. Keep up the strong work. It is a humbling experience to have someone’s life in your hands but the rewards are tremendous when all your hard work pays off and the life you touch gets a second chance.

    V/r

    Thomas J. Lavey, HS1/Paramedic

  • Graham McGinnis, SN

    CHRISTOPHER! I am SOOOO proud of you my friend! For everyone out there, I swam next to this guy in the pool at AST class 81-10 and there is NO ONE I would want to face the waves to come pull my butt out and get me home safe! He’s a workhorse! I love you bro and good on ya! OOH-RAH!

  • Karl M. Radley, FS3

    Austin, thats so sick dude. You have come along way since we were little seaman recruits at boot. nice job bro, im proud of you. hope to see you soon, im west coast bound. semper p baby!

  • Luis Matos

    Many congratulations on a heroic act, and congratulations to all that eager to risk for others.

    I do the same in Portugal, a hello to all fishers of men.

  • Lynette Brossard (Chris’s Mama)

    Born on July 9, 1988 (798) he is the 798th Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer. When he announced to me his plans to become a rescue swimmer, my thoughts went first to his safety. Only when he earnestly reassured me that he’d ALWAYS be careful, coupled with the words “Mom, this is my calling. I’t's what God put me here to do.” did I breathe a (slight) sigh of relief. Christopher is physically strong — I think I feared more for his emotional health than anything, because he is a sensitive and caring person — true and loyal to his core. This was not the first life he saved, but his first day on duty was the first day he felt one was lost that he should have saved. The life of the fisherman they were unable to find was the one that affected him most in the days following this incident. The words and wisdom imparted to him by senior RS helped him put everything in perspective, and I thank you so much for that. It’s true my son will be out there, risking his own life to save others. But this mother finds great comfort in knowing he is never alone – not while doing this important work, and not in the hours and days following these emotionally taxing experiences. Thank you to all of you who showed your support to MY son. I am so very proud of the path he has chosen, and grateful you walk that path with him. God Bless you all. Christopher’s Mom

  • LTJG S. M. Young

    The Daily Astorian just featured a great article on the rescued survivor and his family thanking the Coast Guard aircrew. You can read the article here.

    Very Respectfully,
    LTJG S. M. Young
    Coast Guard Public Affairs