DTRA Ensign saves child’s life

  • Published
  • By Patricia Chavez
  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency Public Affairs
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM --  When you hear of a military service member being a hero, you usually picture a soldier committing an act of heroism during war or in the line of duty.

This is not the case with U.S. Navy Ensign Tanner Feistner. On June 25, he saved a drowning child's life.

It was a typical hot summer day at Kirtland AFB when Feistner decided to take his family to the KAFB pool to cool off.


When the pool attendant pointed out a child face down in the water, Feistner reacted quickly.
"I pulled him out of the water and he was limp. He was not breathing--his skin was gray, his lips were blue and his eyes were rolled back in his head. I thought the worst," said Feistner.

Feistner immediately began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

"During the first five chest compressions, nothing but water was coming out of his mouth," said Feistner. "I just kept doing CPR, hoping he would start breathing. Then a gentleman next to me said, "He's breathing."

Feistner laid the child on his side because the boy still had fluid in his chest. The child's family rushed to his side and held him until the paramedics arrived. The paramedics told Feistner that the child would have died if he hadn't administered CPR.

The boy was admitted to the hospital and released later that evening.

Feistner is a nuclear warhead program specialist with DTRA's Nuclear Support Logistics Division.

"Ensign Feistner's superiors and coworkers consider his motivation, outstanding work ethic and extensive skills a true asset to DTRA," said Albuquerque's Senior Enlisted Leader, Senior Master Sgt. Paula Haynesworth.