This past Monday, December 6, I was privileged enough to be able to take a field trip to the University of South Alabama as a kick-off event for Trauma Week. We were able to watch a team of lifeguards and emergency response fire-medics assess and treat a drowning victim. The patient was discovered at the bottom of the pool after suffering a seizure that rendered the patient unconscious. A team of two lifeguards responded quickly. One lifeguard dove into the pool and dragged the patient to the surface. Meanwhile, the other lifeguard retrieved a spineboard. The pair loaded the patient onto the board and slide him out of the water. They quickly began compressions on the patient after discovering he had no pulse. Two other guards ran out. One guard called 911 while the other brought out a CPR pocket mask. After a few minutes, the fire medics arrived on scene. After quickly assessing the patient they began to take over compressions and prep the patient for defibrillation. After the second shock, the patient finally had a change in heart rhythm. The fire-medics attempted to apply an automatic CPR machine, Lucas, to the patient, but the equipment malfunctioned (this was later described as an excellent example how nothing in the field ever goes as planned!). Finally, the fire-medics were able to load the patient onto a stretcher in order to transport the patient to the hospital.
After their demonstration, we were able to have a lengthy Q&A with the life guards and fire-medics. They discussed the purpose of CPR: to initiate blood flow that allows the brain to receive oxygen. They explained how well-performed CPR will often result in broken ribs. They described this as "life over limb". Yes, the patient will have broken ribs, but the patient has an opportunity to live. Without compressions the patient would certainly die. They gave the definition of V-fib: essentially the heart is quivering, not truly pumping. Lastly, they discussed with us the career of being an Emergency Response fire-medic. They explained one in this career path requires both physical and mental toughness. Their job is extremely physically demanding as they are often required to move heavy people or maintain compressions for long periods of time. Most of all, the job is extremely difficult emotionally. They watch young and old people alike die when there was nothing they could do to save them. Sometimes, they have patients that remind them of their own family members. They described that one must learn not to take the job home with them. Unfortunately, too many medics commit suicide as a result of the horrors they've witness. They described how important seeking professional therapy is to a team. Although the job has many faults, though, the self-reward of saving a life is extremely great.
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