LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
A Georgian Army officer studying at the Defense Language Institute's English Language Center used his medical training to help save the life of a civilian employee recently at the DLI campus.
On Aug. 2 at approximately 7:45 p.m., Army Capt. Aliko Odilavadze stopped by the Gateway Lodge Sundry Store to purchase a snack and soft drink. When he went to the counter to pay for his purchases, Odilavadze notice the cashier, Linda Blount, appeared disoriented; her lips were pale.
He asked Blount, "Are you okay?"
Blount replied, "No, I feel sick."
Seeing Blount lean back against the wall behind her for balance, the captain and Andrew Pineda, another store employee, helped Blount to a chair next to the cashier's counter.
Using his medical expertise, Odilavadze took Blount's pulse and discovered it was very weak.
He asked her how she felt, but a disoriented Blount responded with an unclear answer.
Odilavadze asked Blount, "Are you diabetic?" She answered, "Yes." Next, he asked, "Do you have a blood sugar monitor?" Blount answered, "No."
Suddenly, Blount became nauseated and blacked out for about 20 seconds. Odilavadze knew she was going into diabetic shock, so he had Pineda call emergency medical services for assistance.
Blount needed immediate medical attention. The captain stayed alongside Blount asking her questions to keep her responsive and alert. He placed a cold, damp cloth on her forehead to keep her cool. After about 10 minutes, EMS personnel arrived and took over the medical emergency.
Inquiring about her medical condition the next day, Odilavadze was told by a front desk employee at DLI's Gateway Inn that Blount remained hospitalized and under observation.
Reunited Aug. 25 at the store where it all began, Blount told the captain, "God bless you for helping me; you were my guardian angel that day. You saved my life."
A humble Odilavadze replied by saying he was just doing his job. He is just glad that as a medical physician, he was able to assist Blount during her medical crisis.
Odilavadze remains at the DLIELC attending a specialized English course. In October, he will move on to Fort Sam Houston where he will attend the four-month-long Medical Captain Career Course in Radiology.