Archives for May 2018

The heat and humidity were exhausting. John had only been on the clock for thirty minutes and his clothes were already soaked. The heat treating department was always hot, even in mid winter. Today he just wasn’t tolerating it well. John did not like to drink water. He was sweating more fluid than what he was replacing.

After the mid-morning break John started feeling lightheaded, was a little nauseous and his heart felt like it was pounding hard in his chest. But he continued to work. Suddenly he collapsed. Several minutes passed before co-workers found him. His skin felt hot and dry. When they felt for a pulse they noted it was very fast. John is suffering from heat stroke, which is a life threatening condition in which the body is no longer able to cool itself.

John had several symptoms indicating heat related problems. 

1. He was sweating profusely.
2. He was not drinking enough fluids.
3. He was lightheaded.
4. He was nauseous.
5. His pulse was fast.

Heat emergencies occur in three distinct phases.

Stage 1 Heat Cramps

The victim will develop cramps in the legs and sometimes in the abdomen. This is due to losing key electrolytes when sweating. Usually this condition is easily treated by removing the victim to a cooler environment. Encourage them to drink cool water and massage the muscles cramps.

Stage 2 Heat Exhaustion 

This stage is more serious. The victim will become lightheaded, weak, nauseated and may pass out. He or she will sweat profusely in this stage. Again too much fluid is being lost and the victim is becoming dehydrated.

John is experiencing Stage 3, Heat Stroke. In this stage sweating is absent and the body temperature become dangerously high (in some cases 108 degrees or more). The body can not tolerate temperatures this high. If the victim is not cooled immediately brain damage will occur. Remember, the distinction between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke is the sweating. In Heat Exhaustion there will be sweating profusely. In Heat Stroke there will be an absence of sweating.

911 is called and EMS arrives, they immediately move John to a cooler environment. His temperature reading is 106.8. Pulse is 142 beats per minute and his blood pressure 84/40. John is in critical condition and his body temperature must be lowered rapidly. Ice packs are placed in his arm pits and on his chest. 

The medics start two IVs to replaced lost fluids. His temperature is retaken and found to be 106.3. The ice is not working fast enough so the decision is made to use a garden hose to wet his body down completely. John is still unconscious and now begins to vomit. The medics place him on his side to help protect his airway. They clear his mouth of the vomit and keep him positioned on his side. 

The cooling process is continued and after several minutes his temperature have fallen to 103.6. This is good because the body can tolerate this temperature much better than the original temperature.

John is now prepared to be transported to the hospital. During transport he regains consciousness. He is still somewhat confused but his vital signs are stabilizing. John recovers fully after a few days in the hospital. 

Quick and proper treatment is what saved John. Summer is upon us and with outdoor activity increasing we must be aware of the dangers of heat related emergencies. Drink plenty of fluid and take frequent rests. Don’t push yourself too hard. Cool off from time to time in the shade. These simple tips will allow you to enjoy the warm weather of summer.

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:4

In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation’s communities. EMS providers serve their communities with compassion and dedication, sometimes placing their lives in danger to save another.

These first responders may be volunteers, part paid or full time but they all have the same goal in mind. That goal is to make an emergency better than when they arrived.

EMTs and Medics go through rigorous training and testing before they start working in the streets. In addition they must participate in continuing education so they can renew their license every three years.

The turnover rate for EMS personnel is high. It’s not a job for just anyone. These people will see more tragedies in a week than most people see in a lifetime. They pull dead bodies out of car crashes. They see people dismembered. They hold the hand of dying a patient. They watch people at the end of their life and in many cases they bring new life to the world.

This is not a job it is a calling. They must tolerate the 4Ps. Puke, puss, poop and pee. They do this without complaining or judging. They do it because they care. Because they want to make a difference. Because they believe in life. And because they are a special breed.

Line of duty deaths continue to increase among the EMS community. They have been assaulted, shot and beaten. They have been spit on, ridiculed, criticized, and threatened. But they show up for their next shift ready to serve you.

They don’t expect a thank you. They don’t expect to get rich. They don’t expect you to understand what they do. They just look for ways to help  when you are in need.

All we would ask of you is to say a prayer for us the next time you see or hear an emergency vehicle. Pray for our safety. Pray that we will be the tools in the hands of God.

But  if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet  closes his heart against him,  how does God’s love abide in him?

1John 3:17