Army Nurse revives unconscious Soldier

By Annette P. Coward, Warrior Care and TransitionMarch 30, 2017

Army Nurse revives unconscious Soldier
U.S. Army Major Dorcelly talks to athletes about the upcoming Warrior Care and Transition's Army Trials at Fort Bliss Texas, March 27, 2017. About 80 wounded, ill and injured active-duty Soldiers and veterans are competing in eight different sports ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Maj. Rao Dorcelly is prepared for medical emergencies. On March 24th, he would use his nursing skills to help a fellow Soldier. Shortly after entering the Post Exchange at Fort Bliss, he found an unconscious Soldier. Dorcelly says his instincts and 16 years of experience as a registered nurse kicked in.

"Being calm helps the process. I'm trained for this. Being frantic is futile. I immediately checked his pulse, spoke to him and asked him to squeeze my hand and blink his eyes,"Dorcelly said. The PX staff thought it was a seizure but based on my experience this was not the case. I was concerned he hit his head," he said.

As Dorcelly waited for the emergency responders to arrive, the Soldier who remains anonymous was unable to describe his collapse but detailed he had been involved in a morning road march, the final culmination for completion of the Army's Air Assault Course.

Realizing it was a case of dehydration, Dorcelly says he was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.

"Anyone in my position would have done the same thing. It's a blessing and I'm just grateful he's alive," said Dorcelly.

Dorcelly is at Fort Bliss supporting the Army Warrior Care and Transition's 2017 Army Trials.