In this episode, I take a moment to talk about the recent traumatic death of an EMT who was struck by a vehicle while working with a patient on the scene of an accident. No matter if you’re a professional or a good samaritan, scene safety is the utmost important factor to keep in mind. It’s terrible that this EMT was killed in the line of duty trying to save lives and help people. I hope this RoyOnRescue helps to sharpen everyone’s level of awareness regarding safe scenes and how to rescue without becoming a patient yourself.
Ankles, Impaled Objects and CPR
In this episode of RoyOnRescue, I answer two different emailed questions. The first from Michael who asked: “I was taught you remove the object only if it interferes with CPR.” Great question Mike. As a general rule of EMS, we only remove an impaled object if it’s obstructing the airway and preventing the ability to secure an airway. Removing an impaled object will often times “un-plug: the hole that was created by the injury and may cause excessive internal bleeding that can only be controlled in a surgical environment. As a lay rescuer, the Good Samaritan will follow the directions of the 911 dispatcher. In a worse case scenario, hands only CPR can still be performed. If the object is in the chest, try and work around the object as best as possible and provide what care you can without causing more harm. A second question came in just this afternoon from Sara who asks about an “ankle popping out” and what to do if this were to happen while on vacation. It sounds as though Sara may have a chronic problem with her knee or ankle but because of a recent injury is especially concerned that it could happen while on an exciting vacation this Friday. In both cases I hope that the advice I give helps and a little tidbit about the first aid acronym, RICES could be the solution while on vacation. Watch this episode to learn more about what to do in case either of these situations arise.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Roy, RoyOnRescue
Can I Choke A Patient With A Pulse Check?
In this video, Roy takes a moment to explain a training that he includes in his CPR videos where he checks for a carotid pulse on one side of the patients neck and then the other without moving from one side to the other physically. Some students have asked if this is wrong, as they were taught to NEVER reach over the patients neck while checking a pulse. They were told that they could crush the patients trachea or even choke the patient! For Roy’s answer, you’ll want to watch this video.
Peace,
RoyOnRescue Team
Trick or Trauma! Tips for a safe All Hallowed Eve.
Trick and Treating can be a very fun way to celebrate Halloween but it can also pose some dangers. In this special Halloween episode I wanted to quickly cover a few tips on how to protect our children and ourselves this Halloween. Be sure to check out this episode to freshen up on some easy ways to ensure a lot more treats than tricks or trauma.
Happy Halloween!
Roy
When I Was Doing CPR The Patient Began To Revive…But I Heard They Didn’t Make It. What Gives?
I received a really good email from a rescuer who provided CPR to a person and before the emergency services arrived, the patient was exhibiting signs of revival. Later, the rescuer discovered that the patient did not survive after all. This person had a valid question about how or why this would happen and I wanted to include my reply so that it may help others who may in the future or have already had the same experience.
Dear “Rescuer”,
There are so many reasons why a person may start to revive or does revive from initial cardiac arrest only to arrest again later and die. This fact that he later died should in no way be connected to your heroic actions you performed. By getting involved you increased his chance of survival by attempting to circulate some percentage of oxygenated blood to his vital organs in order to slow down the clinical to biological death process.
Of course, we never want to think that our rescue efforts will not change the end result. But in expressing compassion, you gave this individual one of the greatest gifts one can give, your care, compassion and your love for a fellow human.
Whomever that gentleman was, for a certain amount of time, you were able to give him the care he needed in order to have a chance to survive. Statistics and data show us this to be true. This does not mean however, that his condition would allow him to survive for the long term. The cardiac related disease that he may have suffered from chronically, the pulmonary embolism that may have occluded a vital vessel in the circulatory system or any other serious medical problem could have still determined that he was not going to survive his cardiac event.
Your efforts were completely successful because they did exactly what CPR is suppose to do… buy time! Be at peace knowing that you were successful in that you did buy him time and your efforts were not in vain. His last hours of life were spent knowing that someone he didn’t even know intimately cared enough to try and save his life. That’s an incredible gift to give someone.
I hope that this in some way can help bring you comfort.
Peace,
Roy
Hurricane Sandy Is In Full Force and Now I Need An Ambulance!
Okay Rescuers,
When natural or unnatural disasters strike, the chance of getting emergency help to your doorstep fast while the EMS services are exhausted is very slim. I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about a situation that doesn’t get discussed much. What effect does a hurricane or natural disaster have on the rest of the community? We sometimes forget the fact that though the rest of the world is distracted by a storm or other disaster related buzz, people still get sick, heart attacks still happen, car accidents still happen but we don’t often think about from where the next ambulance, fire truck or police car is going to be responding. This episode of RoyOnRescue addresses this issue and urges people who may be in high risk of needing an ambulance or other EMS service to think proactively and make arrangements before the emergency happens. Think about moving loved ones with fragile health to temporary locations that may not be effected by the hurricane. Can the person stay with a relative until the community has recovered? What is the back up plan if one can be found? I hope this RoyOnRescue episode get’s everyone thinking and will hopefully help prevent a needless death due to not having the appropriate plans in place. Stay safe, our prayers are with everyone who has been and is effected by hurricane Sandy and other storms.
When A Bike Crash Gives More Than A Road Rash!
Hello Everyone,
It’s been almost three weeks since my last episode was posted! Just for the record…it’s partly because I’ve filled my Hard Disk and was short by about 4GB of RAM. Seriously though, after suffering some technical problems I’m back in swing and hope to have several new posts in the next few days. I’m also working on a new RoyOnRescue format to freshen things up and keep them moving in a direction that you would like to see them go. In this episode, I cover a topic that was brought to me by a person who saw a road cyclist crash. They were in bad condition and she wasn’t sure what to do. I thought I’d take a minute to answer this while I upgrade my hardware on the old MacBook and rest before continuing work on the new style creation for the new upcoming year. I hope this is helpful. Keep the questions and comments coming and if you have a story that you’d like to share and get the RoyOnRescue point of view, please email royonrescue@gmail.com.
Thanks and keep on rescuing!
Roy
Danger When Lightning Strikes!
In this episode Roy takes a look at the dangers of thunderstorms and lightning). And where there’s thunder, there’s lightning. There was a report of a lightning striking a tree next to a home in Park Township destroyed electrical equipment and appliances in the home and caused minor injuries to a child who suffered mouth burns from her braces. Twenty-four head of cattle were struck and killed by lightning while standing under a tree. Lightning in West plains also caused power outages and one minor fire to a roof. A person talking on a cordless telephone in the living room of her house was slightly injured by a lightning strike. A 29-year old man and a 14-year old child were struck by lightning at a rodeo in Lawrence Township and hospitalized. Two horses were also struck and killed by lightning. A 34-year old little league coach was killed by a lightning strike while on the field. If you’ve ever wondered what the potential danger is regarding lightning strikes you wont want to miss this episode of RoyOnRescue and become more familiar with the dangers of lightning and how to protect yourself and survive.
Neighborhood Heroes Making A Difference
In this RoyOnRescue, we take a look at Stephen St. Bernard, who risked his own life to save another. He caught a young girl after she fell from a third story platform and though he suffered some injuries after the rescue, he saved the little girls life. This is an episode dedicated to the neighborhood heroes that get involved and make a difference. You won’t want to miss the live footage of this heroic event. Thank you Stephen St. Bernard, for being a true hero.
Some have asked, how does catching a falling child compare to catching a weight at that velocity. A physicist has figured it out and states, “If she weighs 50 pounds, the man and ground must push up with an average of 12 times that force, or 600 pounds.”
Email Questions and Answers Part 1
Hello Everyone!
In this episode of RoyOnRescue, Roy takes some time to catch up on different emailed questions and comments that have come in over the last few months. The two different emailed questions that were answered were; “won’t laying a person down while choking only make it worse?” and “I thought we were always suppose to control arterial bleeding before beginning cpr!”. Roy takes his time to discuss these two different topics and explain the reasons why we do what we do in rescue in detail.
Be sure to join Roy in Part 1 of several parts as he works his way through a list of different topics that have been sent in by viewers like you.
Remember, If you’ve got a question or comment that you would like Roy to answer or give a response, please send it via email to: royonrescue@gmail.com. Be sure to follow Roy on twitter at: @royonrescue
Remember, your actions make a bigger difference than you realize and you can change the course of history.
Keep On Rescuing,
The RoyOnRescue Team
