[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
RE: Rescues
Group,
Yvette Loyde wrote:
"When a situation arises, it is difficult to play both responder/fellow
employee
because the primary responder would feel biased towards making a heroic
rescue, even if it meant losing their own life. We can all agree that there
would be tremendous guilt associated with having to 'walk away' from a
situation and defer it to a secondary response crew."
Harking back to my Lifesaving [swimming] instruction both at the YMCA and
college. A very high percentage of drownings are doubles for that reason.
Someone gets into trouble and a well meaning but untrained and in the case
of a swimming rescue, unfit person swims out to help. The victim almost
always grabs at the rescuer and if untrained and causes him or her to sink.
A large part of what you learn in lifesaving is how to fight off the
panicked victim and gain control of them so you can save them. And the
doctrine is, if you can't get control, you leave them, drowning with them
won't help. Note also the other reason for double drowning is that a rescuer
is not always physically able to swim, pulling a victim the necessary
distance to safety
That doesn't relate directly to an emergency response that was the topic of
discussion, but if it isn't safe to get to a person, as you said it isn't
going to help them any for another body to be down and requiring rescue.
Yet our society usually praises the "fools" that rush in.
Due to the hazard from the victim, another doctrine or rule of thumb is,
"reach, throw, row, go." In other words take the minimal action that will
provide aid to the victim which also puts the rescuer at the least risk.
Going, swimming out, is the riskiest last resort, even for a trained and fit
lifesaver. That's why life guards at the beach usually have surf boards to
paddle out on, it safer for them.
Relating that to the medical/emergency response, if the situation is known
to be deadly most of us are going to stay out. The problem is the situation
is usually unknown. Someone responding should always try to know or find
out what s/he is dealing with first and prepare for the risks.
But the bottom line is foolishly rushing into a hazardous situation probably
isn't going to help anybody, especially your next of kin.
Any opinions expressed are mine alone and do not necessarily represent those
of the Denver VA Medical Center, The Department of Veterans Affairs, or the
U.S. Government.
Peter G. Vernig
Radiation Safety Officer, VA Medical Center, 1055 Clermont St. Denver, CO
80220, ATTN; RSO MS 115
303-399-8020 ext. 2447, peter.vernig@med.va.gov [alternate
vernig.peter@forum.va.gov] Fax 303-393-5026 [8 - 4:30 MT service] Alternate
Fax 303-377-5686
"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is found to be
excellent or praiseworthy, let your mind dwell on these things." Paul
************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html