So I got my first call the other day on paramedic clinicals. We got called out to a unresponsive 54 year old female. She was huffing helium out of balloons, when she had passed out with warning.
I figured she must of passed out because of hypoxemia, due to the helium. Her V/S were HR 80, GCS 4, Bp 134/86 and skin was cool pale and diaphoretic.
And knowing that helium is has a much lower molecular weight than oxygen, i quickly formulated and launched a plan. I grabbed the ambu bag and quickly hooked it up to high flow o2. I then proceeded to hyperventilate the patient. I knew this would work because o2 is heavier than helium so it would sink to the bottom of her lungs, and force the helium out.
After about 15 minuts of PPV she signed out AMA.
I was glad that my quick thinking allowed me to help this woman.
I figured she must of passed out because of hypoxemia, due to the helium. Her V/S were HR 80, GCS 4, Bp 134/86 and skin was cool pale and diaphoretic.
And knowing that helium is has a much lower molecular weight than oxygen, i quickly formulated and launched a plan. I grabbed the ambu bag and quickly hooked it up to high flow o2. I then proceeded to hyperventilate the patient. I knew this would work because o2 is heavier than helium so it would sink to the bottom of her lungs, and force the helium out.
After about 15 minuts of PPV she signed out AMA.
I was glad that my quick thinking allowed me to help this woman.
