To use the Omnitool to open a vent, yeah, you have to have a certain (fairly low) Lockpicking skill. Similarly, to force open a vent with a crowbar, you need to have a certain amount of Strength.
Once you talk to the guy and he starts bleeding, you need to find his lady friend right away or he can bleed out, IIRC. It used to be worse; the only way you could reliably save him was with Doctor feat and a bandage, at one point.