Meet your friendly hero: Carlos Martinez
2013-11-05
On Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, at a Jacobs company picnic, Terry Hamilton (sister of NASA White Sands Test Facility employee Kim Hamilton) gained a whole new reason to celebrate life with her family.
Because of an observant Jacobs’ employee, Carlos Martinez, Terry’s son Caden Campbell is doing great. As Terry recalled the incident, which occurred in a very noisy and busy area of the picnic, she contemplated what could have happened if Martinez had not been so observant and quick to react.
“My husband was at the car, so I was sitting alone with my 7- and 2-year-old children when Caden started choking on a potato chip,” Terry said. “At first I thought it was going to be okay, but then he started making gagging noises and turning blue. Someone appeared at my side and asked, ‘Is he all right?’ I was so involved with what was going on I didn’t look up, but said I wasn’t sure. When I turned to the person, I saw it was Carlos. He said, ‘You’re Kim's sister aren't you, and it was a chip, right?’ Before I could respond, Caden’s choking got louder and Carlos immediately jumped into action. It all went so fast, I don’t recall everything Carlos did, but I do remember he raised Caden's arms over his head and then picked him up, flipped him upside down and literally stuck his finger down his throat. Before I knew it, the chip was out, Caden was crying … and so was I, for that matter.
“I do not even want to think about what could have happened if Carlos had not been there, or if he had not been paying attention and had not responded. It was so loud and busy at the picnic, it was amazing Carlos even noticed what was going on. He is an incredibly special person to stay vigilant in the middle of chaos and to help someone who was a stranger. My family and I can never thank him enough, and we will be eternally grateful to him for what he did.”
When Martinez isn’t helping other children, he and his wife Vanessa take care of their daughter Renesmae and a niece and nephew. Carlos works in the Propulsion Department, while Vanessa works in Administration.
Cheerie R. Patneaude
NASA White Sands Test Facility
Because of an observant Jacobs’ employee, Carlos Martinez, Terry’s son Caden Campbell is doing great. As Terry recalled the incident, which occurred in a very noisy and busy area of the picnic, she contemplated what could have happened if Martinez had not been so observant and quick to react.
“My husband was at the car, so I was sitting alone with my 7- and 2-year-old children when Caden started choking on a potato chip,” Terry said. “At first I thought it was going to be okay, but then he started making gagging noises and turning blue. Someone appeared at my side and asked, ‘Is he all right?’ I was so involved with what was going on I didn’t look up, but said I wasn’t sure. When I turned to the person, I saw it was Carlos. He said, ‘You’re Kim's sister aren't you, and it was a chip, right?’ Before I could respond, Caden’s choking got louder and Carlos immediately jumped into action. It all went so fast, I don’t recall everything Carlos did, but I do remember he raised Caden's arms over his head and then picked him up, flipped him upside down and literally stuck his finger down his throat. Before I knew it, the chip was out, Caden was crying … and so was I, for that matter.
“I do not even want to think about what could have happened if Carlos had not been there, or if he had not been paying attention and had not responded. It was so loud and busy at the picnic, it was amazing Carlos even noticed what was going on. He is an incredibly special person to stay vigilant in the middle of chaos and to help someone who was a stranger. My family and I can never thank him enough, and we will be eternally grateful to him for what he did.”
When Martinez isn’t helping other children, he and his wife Vanessa take care of their daughter Renesmae and a niece and nephew. Carlos works in the Propulsion Department, while Vanessa works in Administration.
Cheerie R. Patneaude
NASA White Sands Test Facility