Do you puke on a call?

Theres a cheaper way. Spray cologne or perfume in a disposable surgical type mask. Ine can wear that and it will not costs the company $5-7.00 + oxygen, for each mask.

R/r 911
 
Vomiting used to be my kryptonite. The goriest of the gory calls never came close to evoking even the slightest of gags, but there was something about vomit. The smell would get my eyes watering every time.

I vomited once on duty during my first year. A misplaced tube, face-full of vomit, and my supper in the trashcan. Never had a problem after that. Because after that instance, every time I get vomit on my boots, arm, hosed all over ambulance, etc... I always think "Thank God it's not in my face"
 
I'm a very sympathetic retcher... if someone is retching I almost always start to retch right along with them. I can generally control or minimize it and have yet to actually lose stomach contents on a call.

I did however hand an emesis bag to a new EMT to hold in case the pt needed it... looked up and the newbie was puking into it.
 
Gotten close

Almost. PTs liver was failing, had a GI bleed, and had been deficating on himself for 3 days in 80 degree weather. took almost 5 hours to air out the med...
 
On a call? Never.

Only before practical exams.


Later!

--Coop
 
Oh boy!!

BossyCow said:
I'm a very sympathetic retcher... if someone is retching I almost always start to retch right along with them. I can generally control or minimize it and have yet to actually lose stomach contents on a call.

I guess I am right along up there with Bossycow! But boy a few times in my earier years it sure came close! :P
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I cannot say that I have come close yet. However, I haven't experienced a GI bleed yet and from what I hear, those and burns are at the top of most lists.

I am not sure how I will react but I just checked my pockets for my vicks. Whew, it is there.
 
puking on calls

my first call ever as an EMT the pt puked in the truck...the smell of it made me gag but no stomache contents...hope there never is lol...yep just screwed myself on that one :-D


be safe!
 
Had a puker last night an managed to hold in my stomach contents. Might have went ewww... a few times in my head, otherwise all good...
 
Have done the retch/cough/sniff a couple times, but never went all the way to "calling the Buick". That said, now we're gonna have to do a followup post in a few months to see who jinxed themselves by replying to Erin's OP.

P.S. Since Rid already broached the subject, the next question is who has left the patient with your partner and duckwalked to the ER lavatory to avoid infamy and ridicule? (or is this considered "threadjacking?")
 
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Never puked due to "nastyness", but I have on an a two hour transport while my partner is driving like the grim reaper is after him, the box is about 95 degrees because the pt is cold and the road is rough. The worst part was having the pt ask ME if I was alright and if they coud do any thing for me. (I THOUGHT I was being quiet and hiding it well!):rolleyes:
 
I went to intubate during a messy code a little while ago, and the patient had already vomited... a lot... of bloody vomit.

That was the worst tube so far during my clinical... because I barely got through without vomiting.

Oh... and the patient died anyway. Not that we weren't expecting that result.
 
lightsandsirens5 said:
Never puked due to "nastyness", but I have on an a two hour transport while my partner is driving like the grim reaper is after him, the box is about 95 degrees because the pt is cold and the road is rough. The worst part was having the pt ask ME if I was alright and if they coud do any thing for me. (I THOUGHT I was being quiet and hiding it well!):rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Me too - out of the mountains in the back of the rig... I had eaten split pea soup an hour before and had visions of exorcist in my head :P
I gotta get some gravol.....
 
There was an article a little while back (that I cannot find now) about the positioning of patients in the ambulance-- that backward facing with limited view outside caused a lot of discomfort for c&o patients, and causes nausea at a higher rate then we realize. I recall the article calling for medics to consider pre-medicating their patients with an anti-emetic before long/bumpy trips.
Does anyone else remember this?

As for me,
emt-student said:
I too have trouble with the sights and smells of vomiting. I have learned that proper airflow (opening a window or turning on the vent/AC), mental distraction (paperwork, etc.), and sensory distraction works well. I keep in the bag I take into the rig with me a little container of Vick's Vapor rub (or similar). I dab a little of it on my upper lip below my nose and essentially inhale it. The smell isn't amazing but distracts me enough.
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I felt like it puking when your riding in the back and got the air on 90 to make the pt confortable. All while trying to write a report
 
I've not puked as an EMT, but I've definitely nearly puked more than once as a CNA... Stomach seems to get stronger and stronger. But damn, still hate that mucous making huge bubbles out of someones mouth or of course C-Diff poo smell! AHHH, and the GI bleed!:wacko:
 
PS. I'ts comforting to know all of you have puked or nearly puked as well!
 
Tincanfireman said:
P.S. Since Rid already broached the subject, the next question is who has left the patient with your partner and duckwalked to the ER lavatory to avoid infamy and ridicule? (or is this considered "threadjacking?")
Click to expand...

I had a call couple of nights ago for an elderly who was vomitting and contents was the 'coffee ground' substance. We were within 1 minute of arriving at the hospital when the patient throws up black goo inside the ambulance. Stunk up the inside and I began to gag and my eyes teared up. Just held my nose to my forearm and told the driver "If you don't smell it yet, she just threw up and we need to park this ambulance now!". Oh the smell was horrible. I've smelled bad BO and feces in past call, and I admit I gagged a bit, but this almost put me over. My partner opened the back and started gagging at the smell that exited. After we transferred the patient, my partner said he will decon the stretcher and cleanup while I took care of the report with the nurse. He admitted later on that he had to leave to puke in the bathroom. The smell was lingering in my nose hairs for an hour or so. Just washed my nose and blew my nose to get rid of that smell. Also when she puked she also let her bowels go. Found out during patient transfer to the ED bed. Definitely not amusing.
 
The first time ever on an ambo I was so nervous I nearly threw up before I even went on a call.

The other time was a series on unfortunate events on my part. I went to visit my neighbour who was in a motorbike accident and they were putting up a new drip or using some medicine that stank, I felt dizzy and nauseous and walked out and then came back in then felt like throwing up in stead I passed out. Turns out I had a flook once in a life time arrhythmia attack. (Fortunately I broke the fall with my 4 head)
 
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