CMA Report #3

Friday has arrived again and with it another post on the CMA. I am not hearing as many stories as I did from the CPA, but it has been interesting. I am thankful that these reports have not taken me as long to write, as I have been so busy and I am still trying to work on my book. I'm on the background of it, but it is going rather slowly right now. You can pray for ideas for me. I have to finish writing the background, put it all together, check it and then get it printed and sent out to all my "test readers." It doesn't sound like too much, but when you are as busy as I am, . . . Don't worry, I'll keep working on it.

But here is the next report. How do you like these pictures, Hank? Just wait until we are splinting and back-boarding each other.:)

CMA Report #3

Welcome back to Joplin’s first CMA class. This is Rebekah reporting from class #3: Medical Emergencies with Jason Smith as instructor.

Jason, our instructor

Almost all were there when we arrived. Marc wasn’t there this time, only our instructor. After we got our food, Jason introduced himself. This guy is busy. He is a paramedic there at METS, works as a fire chief in Oronogo (I believe) sometimes, works in the Newton County METS now and then, as well as once a month or so working on Eagle One. (That is the emergency helicopter unit, if you were wondering.) I told you he was busy.
After watching a short slideshow, we got into the power point for class. Jason was a great instructor, staying on track and making sure we didn’t have questions before moving on. I won’t give you the entire power point as that wouldn’t be very interesting, so let me think of the interesting parts.

When the medics show up on a scene, they first make sure it is safe for them; their next concern is to make sure they partner is safe; after that is the victim.
“I know it may not sound very nice, but if you become a victim or your partner does because the scene is not safe, then we have two patients and that makes things even more difficult.”
Dad asked how often they go to calls where it is not safe.
“Eight to ten times a week at least,” Jason replied. “It seems like that is becoming more common now. And it is usually overdose or domestic violence.”
That was rather shocking. They show up, but they have to just sit and wait, not doing anything until the police come.

If you ever are helping in an emergency, here are a few pointers:
One, keep calm. It won’t do anyone any good if you are frantic.
Two, plan quickly what you should do. Don’t stand around and argue with someone about who is going to do the compression and who the mouth in CPR.
Three, make sure you send for professional help. Even if it doesn’t end up being needed, it is better safe than sorry.
And fourth, be an encouragement to the victim. Of course, don’t tell them they are going to be just fine if their legs are gone, but I think you get the idea.

One thing Jason didn’t do was tell many stories. We went over many things: heart attack, stroke, bites and stings, poisoning, diabetic emergencies, convulsions, frost bite, hypothermia, and heat related emergencies. He did tell us one story.
There was an elderly couple who were both blind and diabetic. They were in their 70s and helped take care of each other. One day the lady called to say her husband wasn’t responding. He had been having problems, so his wife gave him a glass of milk with several spoonfuls of sugar in it (And yes, that is a good thing to do if someone is Hyperglycemic as they need sugar). When the medics arrived, they realized that the lady had given him skim milk with artificial sweetener. There was absolutely no sugar. So, don’t give skim milk, and make sure it is real sugar.

After a short break, we learned about some of the things in those red bags they carry. Have you ever wondered what is in them? Oh, wow! The contraptions they have to help people breath are pretty remarkable. They have something that they can insert down the throat that will keep the airway open. Of course this is only used if a person is completely unconscious and with no gag reflex. They talk about “bagging someone.” They aren’t talking of putting someone in a bag but of giving a person oxygen using a special bag-valve-mask. It is a little hard to describe. Every victim that goes on an ambulance gets oxygen. Even if they can breathe on their own. It won’t be much oxygen but some to help with any car sickness (Don’t you wish you had some if you get carsick?) and to help with anxiety. I actually found out what they are listening for when they take your blood pressure. Perhaps I can explain it after we get to do it in a few weeks. That should be fun.

Jason finished up the power point with a few things that should be in a First Aid Kit. Do you want to know? Well, these are the essentials:
First Aid Manual
Basic Bandages (assorted bandages, athletic tape)
Basic drugs / lotions (aspirin, antiseptic, antacid tablets)
Basic first aid tools (tweezers, small mirror -- I wondered about that until he said that you might be having to do something for yourself. --, scissors, CPR shield, gloves -- wonder if I can find any that fit me? --, alcohol, hand sanitizer)
Additional First Aid tools (sling, basic splint -- though you really can use anything --, instant ice pack, emergency foil blanket)
And there you have it. All you need for a first aid kit, from a paramedic himself.

After that we got to do the fun part. We got to insert the thing to keep the airway open into the poor dummy.

Dad, practicing his skills

I was amazed at how easy it really was to get in.

Look closely to see it in his mouth

We then all tried the nasal airway thing. That is for those who still have a gag reflex. Jason informed us that he does it on anyone who is drunk.

Lynn took this picture and told me to do it again slowly.:)

Next, Jason showed us this rather scary thing. It looks like a small scythe. It is metal with a light. You can stick it down the victim’s throat so that you can see to insert the tubes when you intubate someone.

Jason, inserting that scary tool

Wow! You could see the vocal cords and everything. No wonder people wake up with very sore throats! Roger and Frankie tried intubating the “victim.”

Dad and Jason had to help Frankie get it in. Look close to see more of the "thing."

Frankie accidentally put it in the stomach instead of the lungs.

The whole class watching.

Jason said since we didn’t have time to do it now, we would try taking blood pressure and maybe using the EKG when we go to the airport.

We filled out our evaluation sheet and then headed home.
Thank you for joining me. I hope you learned something and will come back next week as we explore Traumatic Emergencies. I have heard rumors of some of the hands on things that might happen, so I hope you will join me. Until then this is Rebekah with the Joplin CMA.

Should I keep writing and posting these reports?