AF Reservist springs into action, saves life of NorCal man Published Dec. 18, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Amelia Leonard 349th Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- When William Helton, a local plumber and father from Modesto, Calif., left his house for work one morning in December, he thought it would be just like any other workday. But when a quick stop at the bank turned into a life-threatening emergency, Airman 1st Class William Helton from the 349th Civil Engineer Squadron sprang into action. Helton, a water fuel maintenance apprentice with the 349th CES, was conducting a business transaction at a Modesto Bank of America branch office in northern California when he heard a bank teller yell for help. According to Helton, the teller yelled for someone to call 911, and he assumed he was in the midst of a robbery, he said. What happened next was something he didn't see coming. When he peaked around the corner of the partition separating him from the lobby, he saw a man had fallen to the ground, blood pouring from his mouth and nose. He ran so fast that he slid on the floor to get to him as quick as he could, he said. As Helton knelt over the injured man, the man began to seize. He turned him on his side, checked his wrists for medical bracelets and then recruited a banker to assist in opening the injured man's jaw. According to Helton, he needed to make sure the man did not swallow his tongue and establish and maintain an open airway. Helton remained at this complete strangers' side making sure he could breath and not go into shock until medical personnel arrived. "It was an intense situation for like five minutes," he said. "I ran into the situation head-on and because of my Air Force training, I was able to stay focused and think clearly." Helton is new to the squadron, having transitioned from the Air National Guard less than a year ago. He spent the first six years of his military career with the Mountain View, Calif.-based 129th Rescue Wing as a crew chief, but decided to make the switch to the Air Force Reserve so he could spend more time with his family and make a bigger mission impact. "I feel more comfortable here and think I can give a lot back," he said. As a civilian plumbing contractor, Helton has the real-world experience to help teach and mentor his fellow wingmen in the CES. "His experience helps out the shop tremendously," said Tech. Sgt. Romy Aguba, Helton's supervisor. Although Helton doesn't know how the man is doing now, he believes he made a difference which would not have been possible without the training he has received in the military. I hope that if I'm ever in a similar position that someone, perhaps another Citizen Airman, would step-up and help me out in my time of need, he said.