After saving many lives on the field Adam Hartswick said it was time to save his own. He pulled a tourniquet from his vest and started it applying it to his legs.
Hailing from a military family Hartswick always knew he would dedicate his life to serving by saving lives as an Army medic.
On that fated day where his life changed Hartswick was injured doing his job—trying to help his fellow soldiers who had been attacked by a series of improvised explosive devices.
“I kept trying to stand up and I think somebody told me ‘Doc don’t stand up you’re o.k.’ And then I rolled over and that’s when I saw my skeletal kneecaps and what was shredded meat of my legs,” Hartswick said.
Hartswick realized that he couldn’t place the tourniquets because the index finger on his right hand was “flopping around.”
“In my mind holding on to that finger was keeping me awake and staying awake was keeping me alive,” Hartswick said.
Soon after the platoon leader offered to help him, initially Hartswick began saying his final goodbyes but quickly realized that he had a chance to live and gave the platoon leader proper instructions.
It’s been four years since Hartswick was wounded in Afghanistan, losing both his legs and trigger finger.
Hartswick was transported to two hospitals in Afghanistan, then one Germany and then eventually Walter Reed hospital in Maryland, where his parents would visit him.
Hartswick said that his parents were imperative in his recuperation, a support system that helped him when he needed it most.
According to Hartswick he was contacted by Craig Hall, owner of Techline Technologies Inc, who had heard his story and was impressed by his quick response in an intense situation. Hall hired Hartswick for whenever he was ready to start working.
At Techline Technologies Inc, Hartswick is able to train law enforcement officials and EMS with the skills needed in combat situations, terrorist attacks or active shooter situations. Through his job Hartswick has regained a sense purpose—teaching people to save lives.
