This morning I ran into a situation that left me a little tense for a while(shook up).
I was downtown and going back to my car when a couple of people called me and pointed to a man and asked if I knew him. Of course, I had never seen the guy before. He was leaning heavily on the side of his truck and looked as if he would hit the ground at any moment. These people had called the police as they thought he was drunk or on drugs. We waited for a few minutes when I decided that we should get him on the ground before he fell and did damage to himself. When I approached and tried to talk to him there was no response. He didn't seem to know that I was there. I tried to ask him if it was okay for me to help him and tried to assure him that I would help. There was no response. I finally took a strong grip on him and tried to ease him to the ground. He was rigid. Finally I got him going in the direction of the ground and he had a soft landing. I got him lying on his side.
Still no response from the police. I finally said to the other two,"This is an ambulance call and not a police call." They then called the ambulance. The ambulance arrived in two minutes.
The EMTs went to work quickly and carefully. They got him sitting up but they could get no response. It was interesting that they went through all his pockets and took the stuff out. One of the items was a diabetic syringe. They quickly got him on the stretcher and in the ambulance and off to emergency.
I began to think afterward that I should have pushed the ambulance issue sooner. I knew he wasn't drunk. Drunks are completely relaxed and loose. There was no obvious odor of alcohol. This guy was quite rigid. We stood around for at least twenty minutes waiting for police. I only hope that serious damage was not done to this man by our waiting for the wrong people to respond. He was obviously in diabetic shock or coma.
When I got home I realized that I should do some renewing on first aid skills so that I will respond sooner in the next incident. It took me a little while before I regained my composure to carry on with the rest of my day.
Good for you for reacting!! Too often people just stand around and watch and don't take action. You did the right thing!!!
ReplyDeleteTracey
We don't run into these things on a daily basis so it takes time to get your head around it.
ReplyDeleteI was pleased with the other two people as they were not going to leave this guy until help arrived.
After I found out what was wrong I was really glad we did what we did.
I too hope he's all right. You did what you could, and next time you won't wait so long. Twenty minutes is not that long if nothing changed. I had a boss once who did sometime similar when he overdosed with insulin. Maybe that was the cause.
ReplyDeleteDJann, I wasn't aware of the insulin overdose. He had an empty insulin syringe in his pocket.
ReplyDeleteAt least you reacted...some people would have let him just stand there...good for you...
ReplyDeleteJudy, my past training kicks in and you always stay with somebody who is incapacitated. Since he was in a parking place my partners were afraid a vehicle would pull in and run over him as he was not visible to someone trying to park.
ReplyDeleteWhat a time you had. Hope you've recovered. I guess it is a lesson learned.
ReplyDeleteWe are so quick to judge negatively, rather than assuming a health issue. I know.
Cheers from Cottage Country!
Hi Red... Thanks for stopping by my blog...You are welcome anytime...
ReplyDeleteJenn it's one of those things where it hits you fter a while what serious condition this guy was in. Then you start wondering if what you did was right.
ReplyDeleteYes, Judy it was a surprise to find out that you had a blog. I knew that there was a blog involved but I couldn't find it. It looks like I will enjoy some awesome photography.
ReplyDeleteDon't be hard on yourself, Red. You did the right thing.. as did the other two. It's difficult to assess for the untrained. He'll get the help he needs. Unfortunately, you'll probably never know the outcome.
ReplyDeleteHilary , thanks for your support. I do think everybody should have some basic first aide. My first aide has not been updated since retirement.
ReplyDeleteOf course you were shook up. But you helped the gentleman. That is what is the most important. You waited with him and got him help.
ReplyDeleteI was an EMT for years..the most important thing is ABC's Airway, Breathing and Circulation..if they have a good airway and are breathing then they have good circulation...he will more than likely be okay. You can call the Ambulance Service and ask them..they may tell you.
You did good! :)
Far side we did check to see that he was breating but It would have been interesting to see what we would have done if he quit breathing. We had him on his side so that if he threw up,he would have less tendency to choke.
ReplyDeleteAs I said before there should be a wider training in first aide.