Safety Outside The Home

The Winter Storm Warning proved to be accurate, dumping nearly eight inches of snow on the area. So once the snow stopped everyone started digging themselves out to get back to normal. 

Clyde was a 48 year old man that had been sedentary most of his life. He decided to start shoveling the snow off his sidewalks and driveway. The temperature was 25 degrees. After about thirty minutes of work he developed chest pain and shortness of breath. He started walking back to his house when he collapsed in cardiac arrest.

We see it every winter. Someone shoveling snow dies without warning. Why is shoveling snow so dangerous? First, let’s consider the individual who has been sedentary for quite sometime. Then we get a significant snow storm. So the individual decides to shovel snow. His pulse rate increases substantially. This places a significant strain on the heart. In addition the increase heart rate can cause small pieces of plaque to break off in the coronary arteries. This plaque can travel to a constricted artery or a partially blocked area and cut off all blood flow to that area of the heart. This creates a myocardial infarction or a heart attack.

Breathing the cold air while shoveling snow can constrict coronary arteries reducing or completely blocking the artery. This can occur by itself or in conjunction with the plaque breaking off. It should also be noted that the blood thickens in cold weather adding another element that can reduce blood flow. This is how sudden cardiac arrest occurs during snow shoveling. 

So, how can we prevent it?

1. If you are not use to heavy exercise avoid the temptation to shovel snow. 
2. Cover your mouth and nose to prevent breathing the cold air.
3. Take frequent breaks.
4. Don’t work more than ten minutes before going inside to warm up.
5. Don’t fill your shovel completely. Use smaller scoops.
6. Make sure you layer your clothes so when you start getting warm you can reduce the number of layers so you don’t get too warm.
7. Make sure you always talk to your doctor before participating in any heavy exertion.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

1 Corinthians 6:19

It was a misty cool night when the tones sounded. Medic 1, Medic 2, Engine 1 and Rescue 1 respond to a report of an auto crash on Hayward Street at the bridge. Bystanders on scene report car in the creek with two critically injured. Time out 2133.

On arrival we found victim number one had crawled up to the street, his left leg was badly mangled. The other victim was still trapped in the vehicle. He too was in critical condition.

These two young high school seniors were on their way home when they lost control on the wet street. The car slid sideways into the guardrail of the bridge. The guardrail penetrated the drivers door and extended to the passenger side of the vehicle, creating major trauma to both individuals. The car, with guardrail protruding through it, went into the creek. Both young men suffered partially amputated legs.

One crew started treating the first victim on the bridge. An IV was established to help prevent shock and bleeding was controlled on the injured leg. A medical helicopter was called to the scene to transport him to the trauma center.

At the same time a second crew began evaluating the individual trapped in the car below. His leg was partially severed with a small piece of muscle still attached. His leg was up over his right shoulder. He was bleeding profusely. Bleeding was controlled quickly and the leg was brought down to normal position to be splinted. Two IV’s were established to help treat the shock he was in.

With the guardrail trapping him in the vehicle, it was first thought we should cut it and removal of the victim would be enhanced. Unfortunately on further assessment it was found the rail was under tension. Cutting it would result in the guardrail springing back and hitting the victim.

It was then decided to start removing parts of the car from around the victim. This would provide space for us to remove the victim from beneath the guardrail. Total extrication time was one hour and fifteen minutes. Another medical helicopter was call and was waiting for the victim. Both young men underwent surgery and each lost part of one leg.

Calls such as this are very tasking for the responders. The extrication was tedious and care was taken to assure the victim was not injured in the process.

The state highway patrol reported that the cause of the crash was bald tires. Speed and alcohol were not involved in the crash. Both young men have recovered, but their lives were changed forever in a split second.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

The weather had turned warm and many people were out enjoying the transition from the winter cold. The duty crew was sitting outside the station when the tones sounded. Medic one, Engine one and Rescue one respond to Valley and Pike street. Two car crash with several injuries. Time out 1750.

When units arrived they found two cars with heavy damage. Two victims had moderate injuries and one was serious. As we began treating the victims I decided to close the road while we extricated the injured. This would help protect the rescuers from traffic flowing through the intersection.

As I walked around one of the damaged cars something caught my attention. Someone had gone around the barriers and was coming straight at me. I only had time to jump and as I did the car struck me and flipped me on top of the hood. Before I was able to climb off the car the state patrol had pulled the driver out of the car and arrested him for drunk driving, placing him in the cruiser.

Although a very scary situation I was not injured. Mainly because I had my turnout gear on and it helped pad me from the impact.

Although this incident was caused by a drunk driver. People disregarding emergency vehicles and emergency scenes are becoming a major problem for first responders. On the average six to eight fire rescue and EMS workers are killed working in or near moving traffic each year, as are 10 to 12 police officers. 

In addition there are over 6,500 crashes involving ambulances each year. Many of these crashes are due to public drivers not yielding or paying attention to the emergency vehicle. Consider needing an ambulance and they are delayed due to a crash or being slowed do to drivers not paying attention.

The next time you see an emergency vehicle running lights and siren, please yield to them and maybe say a little prayer for them.

Respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Romans 13:7

The forecast was calling for snow, dropping temperatures and windy conditions. Jeb decided to go hunting before the bad weather arrived. At this point the temperature was around 38 degrees. He was very comfortable in his light hunting jacket. He started to take gloves but he knew he would return home long before the bad weather struck. 

Soon after hitting the fields Jeb landed a ten point buck. During the process of gutting the deer he sliced his leg with the knife. The cut was deep and bleeding profusely. He always kept a small first aid kit with him when hunting.

Jeb knew he had to stop the bleeding so he stuffed two 4×4 gauze pads in the wound and wrapped it tightly with a bandage. This did the trick and the bleeding was controlled.

After controlling the bleeding he knew he had to start heading back before the bad weather arrived. As Jeb stood up he noticed he could not bear total weight on the injured leg. He could walk but it was slow and painful. 

As he continued his trek home his pace slowed and to make matters worse it was beginning to snow. The wind was picking up and the temperature was dropping sooner than he had planned. The conditions were deteriorating quickly.

Jeb realized he needed help and the quicker the better. He had his cell phone but he knew from the past that service was sketchy at best in this area. So he headed for a small hill to obtain a better phone signal. The brush was thick and his progress was slow.

The snow was picking up and he could not see his exact location. His cell phone had service now and 911 was notified. Jeb stayed on the line to try to help responders find his location.

Several hours have passed and he is now experiencing the effects of the cold. Remember Jeb did not dress for the cold. His hands a feet were feeling like pins and needles and it was hard to feel anything he touched. He noticed his hands and fingers were turning a grayish blue. Jeb was suffering from frost bite. The falling temperatures and the windy weather were a taking toll on him and he knew he was in trouble.

The deteriorating weather made it very difficult to reach Jeb. It was growing dark when they finally reached him. He had a severe case of frost bite and responders knew he would need to be treated quickly. Treatment of frost bite includes:

Protect the effected areas from further cold.

Warming the effected area with warm (Tepid water 100 degrees).

Remove and rings or bracelets before swelling occurs.

Do not walk on feet that are injured by frost bit.

Do not rub or heat effected area. This cause more damage.

If blistered do not break. Bandage to protect the blisters.

Pain medications may be indicated.

Minor frost bite may be treatable at home. But when in doubt seek medical  treatment as soon as possible.

Once the responders reached the medic unit Jeb was transported to the nearest burn unit for treatment. Burn units treat frost bite because the damage is similar to that found in burns.

Jeb received expert care and experienced a full recovery. He also learned an important lesson. Always prepare for the unexpected. By the way his laceration required 22 stitches.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

Proverbs 4:6

This is an account of how road rage can impact innocent people. In this case the injuries were not life threatening. But it did cause pain and suffering for an innocent bystander. The following is account of that situation.

We were just leaving the hospital when we were dispatched to an motor vehicle crash. The dispatcher stated that two cars were involved and it was unknown how many injuries. 

On our arrival we found one auto had been struck in the rear. It had significant rear end damage. There was one person claiming injury. She had neck and head pain. The seat that she was riding in broke back from the impact. It appears her head struck the side door post (we refer to this as the “B” post).

The patient was experiencing short term memory loss, head pain, nausea and felt weak all over. This could indicate a possible concussion. A c-collar was applied and she was transported on the patient stretcher.

The second individual involved was the driver who struck the woman’s vehicle. He was not injured. He stated that another car behind him was experiencing road rage. The car was riding very close to him and attempted to pass him, nearly running him off the road.

He stated he was not sure what this individual was going to do so he was watching him in his rear view mirror. As he checked the mirror the woman in front of him was stopped and attempting to turn into a driveway. When he looked back at the road he did not have time to stop.

A witness supported his story saying they saw the road rage individual driving recklessly. They had a description of his car but no license number. Unfortunately the man involved in the accident still received a ticket from police officers. 

According to the NHTSA 66% of traffic fatalities are caused by aggressive driving. Road rage is defined as the act of causing harm to a person or vehicle while on the road. The act can occur with a vehicle or any other weapon. It also includes any acts of violence performed by a passenger in the vehicle.

Here are a few tips to avoiding aggressive drivers.

1. Control your anger and stay calm.
2. Don’t take traffic problems personally.
3. Avoid making eye contact with an aggressive driver.
4. Don’t make obscene gestures.
5. Don’t tailgate.
6. Use your horn sparingly, even a polite honk can be misinterpreted.
7. Don’t block the passing lane.
8. Don’t block the right turn lane.
9. Report aggressive drivers to police.
10. Remember the aggressive driver is looking for a fight.

These simple trips can help you avoid situations that may lead to a confrontation or motor vehicle crash. Stay calm it’s not worth getting upset over. Call the police and let them handle it.

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:11