There is a concurrent post up about a Sheriff's deputy dying from an accidental discharge which caused a 'Leg' (most likely femoral artery) bleed. His death is a testament to the fact that each and every one of us can become the victim of such happenstance in an instant. Vigilance is demanded, yet it will never be enough. We MUST be prepared to respond to such an incident when (NOT IF!) it happens. I am personally encouraging all who read these pages to take a step to becoming better prepared to react to a medical emergency. I am a registered nurse, currently working in Elkhart General Hospital (EGH). My job requires me to maintain qualifications for AED (Automatic Electronic Defibrillator), BLS (Basic Life Support), CPR (CardioPulmonary Resuscitation), and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support - medical professionals only, I think), First Aid and Stop the Bleed training were obtained independent of my job.
It is my well-considered opinion, that ALL able-bodied people should be at least qualified to use an AED, and to know BLS/CPR. First Aid and Stop the Bleed kits are available at most pharmacy outlets and certainly on Amazon.com. There is nothing difficult or mysterious about any of this stuff. I think most folks encountering an emergency just stand there looking stupid because they: 1.) Dont' KNOW what to do, or 2.) Think/Hope someone else will react. Training on all of these procedures/devices is available locally. Seek out training yourself, encourage your school or employer to help provide such training. EVERYONE should have a modicum of emergency response training, because ANYONE may become the next victim.
Two personal stories that I hope will help encourage you to take this seriously. I was in my 20s at the time, at a hair salon getting a haircut while my wife got the whole nine yards. There were tanning beds in the basement. An employee runs up from the basement screaming, "DOES ANYONE KNOW CPR? HE ISN'T BREATHING!" I had military first aid training and COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING. I sat there pretending I didn't know anything, hoping someone else would help. St. Joe Mishawaka Hospital was 3 blocks down the street. An ambulance came quickly. The gentleman did not survive. I watched them carry him out, covered. I don't know whether or not I could have helped him. I do know that I did not try. Forty years later, I can still hear the screaming and see the body on a gurney. Never again.
Fast forward 40 years. I was admitting a patient to our unit at EGH. A routine admission question is: "What brings you here, today?" Could be doctor's orders, chest pain, short of breath, fainted, bad stress test, abnormal EKG, and a bunch of other reasons. This particular patient responded, "I am here because my grandson saved my life." I asked for the story. Seems the family was sitting around the table the previous evening enjoying dinner and good family company. All the patient remembered was, "I was eating dinner. Then I was in an ambulance." His grandson told me that Grandpa was eating as usual, with a forkful of food, he just froze for an instant, then fell out of his chair. The grandson yelled at his little sister to CALL 911, Grandpa is in trouble. She did so, while the 17 year old grandson had the presence of mind to clear grandpa's mouth of food, and start CPR, within seconds of him hitting the floor. He learned CPR in a high school health class. EMTs arrived, took over care, and got grandpa to the ER. The next day, I got him ready for the doctors to check him out. I don't remember what we did for him. But, I know we would never have gotten the chance if it weren't for his grandson's intervention. I do know he walked out of the hospital the next day.
Get yourself qualified to use an AED. It really is self-explanatory, and no medical knowledge is required. Take a BLS/CPR class, the life you save may be someone you love. Buy a first aid kit, and a Stop the Bleed kit. They are not overly expensive. If you can't afford training, watch YouTube videos. Anything is better than nothing. If that deputy's death sticks in your craw, do something about it. Please.
It is my well-considered opinion, that ALL able-bodied people should be at least qualified to use an AED, and to know BLS/CPR. First Aid and Stop the Bleed kits are available at most pharmacy outlets and certainly on Amazon.com. There is nothing difficult or mysterious about any of this stuff. I think most folks encountering an emergency just stand there looking stupid because they: 1.) Dont' KNOW what to do, or 2.) Think/Hope someone else will react. Training on all of these procedures/devices is available locally. Seek out training yourself, encourage your school or employer to help provide such training. EVERYONE should have a modicum of emergency response training, because ANYONE may become the next victim.
Two personal stories that I hope will help encourage you to take this seriously. I was in my 20s at the time, at a hair salon getting a haircut while my wife got the whole nine yards. There were tanning beds in the basement. An employee runs up from the basement screaming, "DOES ANYONE KNOW CPR? HE ISN'T BREATHING!" I had military first aid training and COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING. I sat there pretending I didn't know anything, hoping someone else would help. St. Joe Mishawaka Hospital was 3 blocks down the street. An ambulance came quickly. The gentleman did not survive. I watched them carry him out, covered. I don't know whether or not I could have helped him. I do know that I did not try. Forty years later, I can still hear the screaming and see the body on a gurney. Never again.
Fast forward 40 years. I was admitting a patient to our unit at EGH. A routine admission question is: "What brings you here, today?" Could be doctor's orders, chest pain, short of breath, fainted, bad stress test, abnormal EKG, and a bunch of other reasons. This particular patient responded, "I am here because my grandson saved my life." I asked for the story. Seems the family was sitting around the table the previous evening enjoying dinner and good family company. All the patient remembered was, "I was eating dinner. Then I was in an ambulance." His grandson told me that Grandpa was eating as usual, with a forkful of food, he just froze for an instant, then fell out of his chair. The grandson yelled at his little sister to CALL 911, Grandpa is in trouble. She did so, while the 17 year old grandson had the presence of mind to clear grandpa's mouth of food, and start CPR, within seconds of him hitting the floor. He learned CPR in a high school health class. EMTs arrived, took over care, and got grandpa to the ER. The next day, I got him ready for the doctors to check him out. I don't remember what we did for him. But, I know we would never have gotten the chance if it weren't for his grandson's intervention. I do know he walked out of the hospital the next day.
Get yourself qualified to use an AED. It really is self-explanatory, and no medical knowledge is required. Take a BLS/CPR class, the life you save may be someone you love. Buy a first aid kit, and a Stop the Bleed kit. They are not overly expensive. If you can't afford training, watch YouTube videos. Anything is better than nothing. If that deputy's death sticks in your craw, do something about it. Please.
