The Reason Why

On January 31 2012 15:39 Snet wrote:
I realize my blogs may portray a negative image of EMS.

You all may wonder why I even bother after all the sad blogs I post.

I can tell you why.

About three years ago I started EMS.

I had no clue what to expect. I was an ignorant kid.

I went through the training, I passed all the tests.

Before I knew it I was out on the streets, rolling around the city in my own ambulance.

***23153 Soldwood Lane, Bartchwood Lane, 21953, for the 49 year old complaining of chest pain.***


I arrived on scene to find a 49yo male in a gym complaining of chest pain.

I asked him, "Did the chest pain start before or after you were working out?"

After.

Has this ever happened to you before when working out?

No. Never.

Does the pain move, march, or radiate anywhere from your chest?

No it's just in my left chest...

Are you short of breath or nauseated?

No... just a pressure in my chest, nothing else.

Ok. Well let me tell you my plan for you sir. My partner is going to get the stretcher and we will get you on our ambulance and take you to the hospital and get you fully checked out. While we drive to the hospital I will do a couple of painless tests on you to see if you are having a heart attack. Does that sound reasonable?

Yes sir. Can you write down my friends number and call him later and tell him what is going on?

I can certainly do that.

I get his number and load the patient on the ambulance

During transport I perform a 12-lead EKG.

The EKG showed a normal sinus rhythm at a rate of 88.

Although due to the patient's description of his pain I proceed to treat him as a potential myocardial infarction (heart attack).

I give the patient aspirin.

I obtain IV access.

I give nitroglycerin.

The patient is pain free.

"I am feeling so much better, thank you Raud, I feel silly wasting an ambulance for nothing."

(Not quite sure where he got the name Raud, but I just went with it.)

I said, "You did not waste an ambulance. Everyone is entitled to pain management. And if you are ever concerned of a heart problem, you call 911 immediately. You did the right thing, and calling 911 was totally appropriate."

I called his friend to inform him what was happening.

We talked for about five minutes, then I hung up.

Then shit got real.

He was looking at me, taking about some kind of family issue. His eyes locked onto mine. They rolled back and he flexed his chest upward. Then he went limp.

I looked on the monitor and the patient was in ventricular fibrillation.

He was coding. (dying)

I studied this shit in school for two years, but the day you see it in real life.....it is surreal.

I cut off his shirt.

I applied AED pads.

CLEAR.

SHOCK

The patient went into a sinus tachycardia of 148.

He proceeded to vomit several times.

Snet: "Sir...SIR can you hear me?"

"Y...yes...yes i do"

After that he no longer talked due to constant vomiting.

I got him to the emergency department

I turned him over to the doctor.

~~~~~ I went back to the station ~~~~~

Several days later I received a voicemail.

A voicemail I listen to quite often.

"Brother Raud, this is ****. I just want you to know I made it out okay. I know you probably forgot who I am by now.. but you saved my life. I was the one with chest pain who croaked in the ambulance. Idk how to thank you brother..but thanks. Bye"

Saving a life is a feeling you absolutely can not explain. It is an addiction that you can never quit. It makes the long days and long nights worth it.

That, teamliquid, is why I do EMS.