Questions about procedures and techniques

[High Speed Chaser]

I'm in the process of joining St John Ambulance (provide first aid at events) to prepare for a quite probable career as a paramedic.

I was wondering if anyone had some tips for how else I could or should prepare.

At the moment all I have is a Level 2 first aid course but there are some topics I feel were not explained properly if every they were mentioned during training such as measuring pulse and resps.

With regards to measuring resps, what the best way to do it? Especially without making a patient feel uncomfortable.

I have also been curious as to how you (EMTs or paramedics) help treat a patient who is suffering from alcohol poisoning while on route to a hospital and what can I do as a First aider while awaiting an ambulance to arrive besides the ABCD and placing a patient in the recovery position?

Thanks in advance
HSC

PS sorry if I placed this in the wrong category.

 

[RDUNNE]

With regards to measuring resps, what the best way to do it? Especially without making a patient feel uncomfortable.
QUOTE]
I coul;dnt tell you from first hand experience, but I asked my instructor the same thing, and he said to lay there arm across there stomach while you take a radial pulse, and count the pulse for 15 seconds, then the rise and fall of their chest for 30. havent had a chance to do it myself, but seemed pretty fool proof lol.

 

[LucidResq]

I have also been curious as to how you (EMTs or paramedics) help treat a patient who is suffering from alcohol poisoning while on route to a hospital and what can I do as a First aider while awaiting an ambulance to arrive besides the ABCD and placing a patient in the recovery position?

Consider the possibility of other causes. Many serious medical conditions can mimic alcohol intox. IE: hypoglycemia, stroke, head injury.

 

[High Speed Chaser]

Consider the possibility of other causes. Many serious medical conditions can mimic alcohol intox. IE: hypoglycemia, stroke, head injury.

I was more talking about the fact that I go to parties and the amount some of my friends drink is horrible, in excess of 10 cans of beer in one night:sad:. I had one friend 17 y/o unconscious who was rushed to hospital, who when they did a quantitative analysis on his blood, his BAC was ~0.15%.
What can I do if I'm 99% sure its alcohol poisoning?

 

[VentMedic]

I was more talking about the fact that I go to parties and the amount some of my friends drink is horrible, in excess of 10 cans of beer in one night:sad:. I had one friend 17 y/o unconscious who was rushed to hospital, who when they did a quantitative analysis on his blood, his BAC was ~0.15%.
What can I do if I'm 99% sure its alcohol poisoning?

O.15% and unconscious? We call that a lightweight drinker who probably should steer clear of alcohol.

Seriously, even if you were a Paramedic, you can do little more than protect their airway if you believe they will vomit and call for an ambulance. Give whatever information you know about the patient, including the kid's parents' phone number, to those that respond. Keep unnecessary people out of the way including your other drunk friends. Do only enough movement to protect his airway and be mindful of his C-spine if your friend fell from standing height. Take note of any other signs of injury.

You can not always be 99% sure of anything. Alcohol can trigger or mimic many other things.

 

[High Speed Chaser]

O.15% and unconscious? We call that a lightweight drinker who probably should steer clear of alcohol.

Seriously, even if you were a Paramedic, you can do little more than protect their airway if you believe they will vomit and call for an ambulance. Give whatever information you know about the patient, including the kid's parents' phone number, to those that respond. Keep unnecessary people out of the way including your other drunk friends. Do only enough movement to protect his airway and be mindful of his C-spine if your friend fell from standing height. Take note of any other signs of injury.

You can not always be 99% sure of anything. Alcohol can trigger or mimic many other things.

Ok thanks
and with the percent thing, I think I was wrong. It must be ~0.15 grams per 100 mL or something that was quite high.
Why people drink that much I will never fully understand.

 

[Mountain Res-Q]

Just remeber that when a patient becomes aware that their resps are on trial, their pattern usually changes. Take a radial pulse for 30 seconds, but keep your hard on the radial for another 30, divert your gaze to the chest, and count resps. Double both. (I go 15/15; but stick with 30/30 until you get the hang of it) Having your arm postioted on the patient helps feel the resps as well; but might prove questionable in female patients. Whatever you do, do not do what one of my county's tests gives as an option: Place a glass of water (or alcohol in your case) on the chest and count the ripples. ^_^

 

[Scout]

10 cans, lol

For you breathing, hand accross the stomach/chest do breths first then on to pulse. In real life i would't recomend putting your ear to the chest wall, but that is my personal preferance.

As for the friend drinking, well again this is personal and flys in the face of everything an EMT should do, but if they are getting wasted enough to make you think they need an amb, either try and reduce their intake or make it an uncomfortable wait for the amb, sternal rubs shouting to keep them awake etc.dripping water on their face etc.