Medics risk explosives to tend patient

Would you risk your life to sit with this patient for hours once you knew?

  • Yes

    Votes: 6 31.6%

  • No

    Votes: 13 68.4%
  • Total voters
    19
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OnceAnEMT

Forum Asst. Chief
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Other than having trouble staying still, I am not reading a need for paramedics to be present. It sounds like the bleeding was controlled.
 
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vcuemt

Ambulance Driver
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The bomb squad is trained and ready to risk their lives where explosives are concerned.
 
chaz90

chaz90

Community Leader
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Someone had to be in there with the patient. I don't necessarily think two was a great idea, but one was certainly required. If the patient's agitation was getting worse and he was moving more I think I'd be considering sedation or even RSI to keep him still...
 
OP
OP
Rin

Rin

Forum Captain
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I believe the article also stated the patient was hypotensive. In any case, the dangerous nature of the scene trumps any requirement for medical personnel to stay.
 
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DesertMedic66

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Reminds me of an episode of inside combat rescue where a guy had a RPG get stuck in his pelvis (I think).
 
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exodus

Forum Deputy Chief
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vcuemt said:
The bomb squad is trained and ready to risk their lives where explosives are concerned.
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THIS. I'm sure they can transport him in something where everyone can be wearing the bomb suits that would keep them safe from grenade shratnel
 
OP
OP
Rin

Rin

Forum Captain
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I'm a bit surprised that the poll yielded a unanimous "No." I expected a few youngins with a hero-complex.

Now would anyone's answer change if the grenade had lodged itself in the leg of the man's hypothetical child? If yes, at what max age do you think you'd be swayed to put yourself in danger?
 
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46Young

Level 25 EMS Wizard
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There is no age. My reasoning is the same as the reason why we don't jump down into trenches or enter swift water to make a grab without mitigating any undue safety risks - what started out as being one patient can needlessly become several patients.

A better choice would have the doc come to the scene. The pt wasn't allowed into the hospital until it was removed anyway. There's no need to risk additional people in general, much less with a transport, since the pt is supposed to remain still.
 
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OP
Rin

Rin

Forum Captain
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@46Young At the time they began transport, it was believed the patient just had shrapnel in his leg. Granted, they didn't visually inspect the wound before beginning transport because it was already bandaged, but I don't think I would have recognized anything half-dollar sized (as it was described) as being an explosive.
 
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46Young

Level 25 EMS Wizard
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Rin said:
@46Young At the tin the middle of an interfacility txp. I guess theynwere screwed at that point.me they began transport, it was believed the patient just had shrapnel in his leg. Granted, they didn't visually inspect the wound before beginning transport because it was already bandaged, but I don't think I would have recognized anything half-dollar sized (as it was described) as being an explosive.
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My apologies. I read the article again. It seems that the crew got the news during the interfacility txp. They can't exactly abandon him at that point.

However, if he refused to keep still, I would have told him that we were going to leave him in the bus since he could set it off. Or get orders for chemical restraint to keep him still.
 
T

Twitch559

Forum Crew Member
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Rin said:
I'm a bit surprised that the poll yielded a unanimous "No." I expected a few youngins with a hero-complex.

Now would anyone's answer change if the grenade had lodged itself in the leg of the man's hypothetical child? If yes, at what max age do you think you'd be swayed to put yourself in danger?
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I am new but I would not for the same reason as many others, we all have family to go home to at the end of the day. Also if something happens they now have at least 2 ppl to care for
 
samiam

samiam

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I dont really understand how something the size of a 1/2 dollar was one, so dangerous and 2 a actual still intact explosive. I mean sure it would probably shred the poor mans leg but that seems kinda small?
 
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DesertMedic66

Forum Troll
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samiam said:
I dont really understand how something the size of a 1/2 dollar was one, so dangerous and 2 a actual still intact explosive. I mean sure it would probably shred the poor mans leg but that seems kinda small?
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It's not the size that matters....
 
Soldiermedic247

Soldiermedic247

Forum Probie
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I agree it's not the size that matter. I have seen a picture an it is indeed real where a soldier had a blasting cap in his mouth and the only facial feature you could recognize was his eyes. Now here is the kicker, he was conscious and breathing while sitting up.
 
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emt4lifes

Forum Ride Along
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Rin said:
I believe the article also stated the patient was hypotensive. In any case, the dangerous nature of the scene trumps any requirement for medical personnel to stay.
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completely agree. It's all about taking calculated risks, not being careless with lives.
 
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