Kirtland sergeant saves man from choking Published Feb. 7, 2014 By Adam Bailey Nucleus staff writer KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The first time Tech. Sgt. Martelli Major performed the Heimlich maneuver outside of training, he saved a man's life. Major, who works in the 58th Maintenance Group, was attending a leadership course in October at the Robert D. Gaylor NCO Academy in San Antonio when he came across a dire situation. "My class and I were out having some dinner, when I saw a gentleman four chairs down was giving the universal sign he was choking," Major said. John Pringle was at Saltgrass Steak House with his co-worker Glenn Goral when he began to choke. Goral told the bartender to call 911 and then began to perform the Heimlich maneuver. "After several attempts, it started to run through my head, 'What do I do now? My friend is choking and it's not clearing,'" Goral said. Major stepped in to offer assistance. "I recognized the gentleman wasn't coming up enough with his thrusts. So after I saw him do it four or five times, I tapped him on the shoulder and said 'Hey buddy, take a breath and let me give it a try,'" Major said. "Then after two or three tries, I dislodged a piece of steak from his throat." Emergency responders were called off because Major's actions had resolved the situation. Major said he knew what to do from his self-aid and buddy-care training and other military training. "Training gave me the confidence to jump up and be of assistance. I knew something had to happen or the gentleman wasn't going to make it," Major said. Major will be given a medal for his actions. The medal is awarded for either a single achievement or for service over a period of time. "It was a critical situation and Tech. Sgt. Major was the first to react," said Chief Master Sgt. Richard Moody, 58th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "He went above and beyond when he stepped in and took over rescue attempts and I thought it was worthy of recognition." Major will be awarded the achievement medal at 2 p.m. Monday at Parrish Hall. "I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. I was just glad I was able to assist the gentleman," Major said.