Larry Blackburn shares a humorous story from his deployment training in the Caribbean, where a CPR training dummy was used in a playful prank that brought laughter to both his ship and an accompanying oiler.
In the realm of military training, moments of levity can often break the tension of rigorous preparation. Larry Blackburn recounts a memorable incident from his deployment training in the Caribbean that not only served a practical purpose but also provided a good laugh for everyone involved.
As part of their training and preparation for deployment, Blackburn and his crew obtained a full-size female CPR dummy from a drug company. This dummy was intended for practice, not just for the corpsmen but also for the repair parties and other personnel aboard the ship. The goal was to ensure that everyone was well-prepared for emergencies at sea.
One day, Blackburn approached the commanding officer with an unusual suggestion. He pointed out that they had a female dummy on board and proposed a playful idea to use it in a humorous way. Initially, the commanding officer appeared shocked and serious, but after Blackburn explained the situation and the intended prank, he received the captain's approval to proceed.
With the captain's blessing, Blackburn and his crew took the dummy to the captain's chair on the starboard side of the bridge. This location was strategically chosen so that the dummy would be highly visible to the ship alongside them during a replenishment operation with an oiler. They propped the dummy up in the chair, making it look as if it were part of the crew.
To add to the fun, they arranged for someone to imitate a female voice over the radio communication with the oiler. The voice introduced herself as "Mary" and cheerfully stated that she was having a great time with her shipmates aboard the USS Trepid.
The reaction from the crew on the oiler was immediate and enthusiastic. As soon as they heard the voice, they rushed to the side of their ship, pointing, laughing, and cheering at the sight of the dummy in the captain's chair. The playful banter continued as "Mary" engaged with the crew, creating a light-hearted atmosphere that resonated across both vessels.
This humorous incident not only served as a morale booster for Blackburn's crew but also highlighted the importance of camaraderie and humor in the military. Moments like these remind us that even in serious environments, laughter can be a powerful tool to foster teamwork and relieve stress. Blackburn's story is a testament to the creativity and spirit of those serving at sea, proving that sometimes, a little fun can go a long way in building bonds among shipmates.
