(My Safety comes First)

[Guest guest]

Personally I think that for the most part, this is just another case example

of medics talking big. They say things like, " I don't care if they all jump

out " . But, then they say lots of other things about patients that are

equally arguable that we recognize as general BS. If someone really jumped

out of their rig during a transport, they would be devastated, no matter how

big they normally talk. I thank God that no one has ever successfully

jumped on me or one of my crews, although many have attempted it.

Although I do stick with my original response: " I make it a point not to

get between the door and a patient who wants to go through it. "

Cheers,

Bob

www.hargis.info

_____

From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On

Behalf Of Mike

Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 9:26 AM

To: texasems-l

Subject: Re: New Thread (My Safety comes First)

Normally I like to argue with you a little Henry, but you are dead on the

money this time around.....well said

Hatfield FF/EMT-P

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------

From: " Henry Barber " <hbarber (AT) cableone (DOT) <mailto:hbarber%40cableone.net> net>

Reply-To: texasems-l@yahoogro <mailto:texasems-l%40yahoogroups.com> ups.com

Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 09:07:03 -0600

>Lets talk about this subject for a few. Just how broad does that statement

extend?

>

>Question: If your ambulance is in a wreck do you just jump out and leave

your patient strapped to the stretcher inside just in case it may catch fire

or blow up?

>

>Question: Do you stop 5 blocks from a call just because the dispatcher

stated someone was hit in the face? How long do you wait for PD to get

there?

>

>Question: Do you refuse to transport a mental patient just because he may

become violent?

>

>Question: Do you not respond to an industrial accident just because it is

an industrial plant and has hazardous chemicals.

>

>Question: If someone attacks your patient while you are working on them do

you simply stand up, throw up your hands and state get after it just don't

hit me.

>

>Question: If your partner is getting his ass whupped do you run outside and

squeal for help?

>

>Question: Do you not respond to the poor side of town just because their

tends to be more crime in that area?

>

>Just how far do we extend our own safety at the expense of the folks we are

out their to assist and protect if need be? I think the answer is use of

common sense. Of course now days we may have to do some searching for common

sense in EMS. I really believe that now days medics take their personal

safety to some non common sense extremes. I almost equate it to the what's

in it for me train of thought. No one is saying jump out there and take a

bullet for someone else. I am saying take a reasonable approach. Get close

enough to the scene or you patient to make an assessment if their is danger

or not. ( I don't know the whole story about the guy jumping from the

ambulance and am only using it as an example. This is no reflection on the

crew that was on the call.) At the very least take a few lumps before

allowing your patient take the big road rash plunge. That may mean the

difference between 70 mph and 5 mph. In the last 34 years I have never hit a

patient but I surely hav e scared the hell out of a few that thought they

were going to whup my ass. Intimidation can be a last resort. Size is not

the only intimdator. I have had some small gals that worked for me that

could get the job done.

>

>Sometimes it appears to me. I repeat appears to me, that todays medic looks

for any and every excuse to not do their jobs while crying how hard they

have it. My only advise is to just get in there and do your job. Be cautious

but don't what if it to death.

>

>Flame on boys I have my teflon undies on.

>

>

>Henry

>

>