Today, I did not use my firearm to defend my life. I did not use my survival skills. I did not have to get into my stored preps. What I did use was my medical training and equipment, a part of which is always in my vehicle, and another always on my person when outside the house. On my way home from work today, there was an accident on the highway. After I was sure I wasnt going to hit anyone or get hit, I saw a motorcycle on the pavement. Being a rider myself, I pulled into the grass and jogged up to help. Then, I saw the rider, bloodied and writhing in pain. I yelled for someone to call EMS (someone was already on that, bless them), then ran back to get one of my aid bags from the truck, and returned. I tossed some gloves to one of the switched on bystanders, and gloved up myself. (I want to help people in these situations, as fast as possible, but I have a duty to protect myself first. Body substance isolation, ALWAYS). We finally got the patient to lay still and I directed my Good Samaritan/partner to hold C-Spine stabilization as I assessed the patient. Lots of road rash, but she could feel her hands, squeeze my hands, and could feel her feet, so I instantly felt better, but it wasnt time to let her walk it off. Let the professionals (by that I mean the ones that have access to X-Rays) make THAT call. Police arrived first, followed a bit later by EMS. EMS did their thing, and we helped them log roll the patient on to a spine board. After I made sure the police/EMS didnt need anything from me, I stripped my gloves off and shook hands with those who had helped, and finished my trip home. Some notes, and lessons learned. 1. Two pairs of gloves in your aid bag (even a small one) is not acceptable. I tossed a pair to a Good Samaritan, and used one myself. My gloves ripped at one point, which is doom on me. I used some gloves before, and didnt replace them. Keep your kit in order at all times. 2. God bless those, who in a time of need, will stop for a total stranger. I had a young mother offer me a baby blanket to help. The young man who helped me hold C-Spine could have gone on his way. A few other people slowed down as they passed and asked if we needed anything. Good people exist. 3. Even if you want to help people, if you arent trained/equipped, you will be calling EMS, bringing a baby blanket to a trauma patient, or simply standing by, hoping someone will show up that can help. No amount of good will can help a patient. You must be trained and equipped... in that order. (Again, God Bless those that will even stop and try to help. I learned there are good folks out there still.) 4. When the LEOs show up, your job may not be over. The first USDOS (Uniformed Swinging D*** on Scene) should realistically try to take command of the incident. The cop stopped about a meter away and asked if we had seen what had happened. As a LEO myself, I assume this young officer has gone through at least basic first aid, but that is simply an assumption. In my mind, he should have at least attempted to assist, ask if we needed anything, or tossed on some nitrile gloves and taken a knee. I dont want to Monday Morning Quarterback the LEO, because I did have gloves on, an aid bag next to me, and I have a tendency to dominate a situation. He may have just assumed I knew what I was doing. The point being, you WILL be taking care of that patient until a higher level of care (EMS, or maybe a higher trained off duty emergency responder/ medical professional) shows up to take them off your hands. You need to be ready to give that medic a down and dirty of what you know, and the status of the patient. 5. You will feel adrenaline dealing with a situation like this. I have taken care of casualties in combat, and the first time, I was a mess. Not because I froze, or couldnt do my job, I was just so excited I couldnt even remember my own call sign. I forgot where things were in my aid bag. It was so different from all of my training, and the low levels of adrenaline that I experienced there. I still fell back to my training, and got the job done. This time was even smoother, and my training still came back, even after being out the combat medic gig for more than a year. You almost have to learn to fight the adrenaline, or maybe just use it properly. 6. Im strongly considering wearing a real DOT approved helmet when Im on the bike. After wearing Kevlar/ACH for years, I hate wearing helmets, but the skid lid the patient wore was in bad shape after the wreck, and her crash was likely at a pretty low speed. Food for thought. Thanks for reading through this extremely long post. If you are interested in preparedness, you MUST learn at least a basic level of first aid. Dragoon Survival and Preparedness Solutions offers this training, as well as CPR and AED certifications. Dont be a bystander; Prepare today, Prevail Tomorrow. -Kyle.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 03:21:29 +0000
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