Part 2 How To Survive In The Wild…A Follow Up To Comments

Posted on October 13th, 2011 by Roy Shaw

There was such a great response from the last episode covering life threatening emergencies in the wild, Roy decided to record a “Part 2″ response that expounds on a couple of the comments.
Are there any medications that may save a heart attack victim’s life in the wild? and, If I’m asthmatic, is there any thing I can do to increase my chances if I’m away from civilization. Be sure to watch this follow up episode to put the pieces together on how to survive in the wild.

So, don’t stop having fun and living life to the fullest, but if you’re going to go out into the wild, make sure you’ve got a game plan for surviving unexpected events.

Tags: asthma attack, Cardiac Arrest, epinephrine for asthma, hiking emergencies, hunting emergencies, nebulizers, procpr.org, ProFirstAid.com, rescue inhaler, royonrescue, short of breath, survival, survival in the wild, surviving cardiac arrest in the wild

Get This Car Off My Chest!

Posted on April 14th, 2011 by Roy Shaw

In this episode of RoyOnRescue, Roy received a question from an EMT student who was trying to learn more about traumatic asphyxiation. The EMT student wanted more information about this traumatic injury. Many times these injuries happen as a result of a very heavy object dropping onto a persons chest and trapping the person under it’s weight. It’s important to recognize the emergency and take action right away. You won’t want to miss this episode of RoyOnRescue.

Tags: asphyxiation, car on chest, chest crush, CPR, crushing chest, crushing injuries, EMT, first aid, ProCPR, ProFirstAid, royonrescue, tractor on chest, trauma, Traumatic Asphyxiation

Allergic Reaction and No Epi Pen!

Posted on March 8th, 2011 by Roy Shaw

I received another email from a person asking: “What are basic first aid measures for a serious allergic reaction if there is no epi pen available? I watched your training video in your library at ProFirstAid.com but I can’t seem to find an answer.”

Thanks for your answer,
C

Thanks for the question C. I thought this was a good question and a situation which no one wants to find themselves. So I decided to reply back and include it into the RoyOnRescue.com blog response. I hope it helps.

Here’s my reply:

Dear C,

Other than immediately calling EMS/911, if at all possible, let the person rest in position of comfort.
Some of the things that are indicated for first aid providers are:

1. Watch for signs and symptoms of severe allergic reactions like difficulty breathing, itching, hives, swelling, sore throat, anxiety.

2. Remove victim from anything that would aggravate or worsen the symptoms.

3. Give supportive care like rescue breathing, CPR, shock treatment etc when indicated.

4. If at all possible, identify what it is that gave the person their serious allergic reaction and avoid any further exposure to it.

This is not a prescription but simply something that I would do. I always like to have liquid diphenhydramine(Benadryl like antihistimine) on hand that can be taken as prescribed on the container or per doctors order. If I did not have a prescription for a “rescue inhaler” like albuterol or didn’t have an allergy response kit prescribed and filled from my doctor I would really emphasize doing so, and then keeping it up to date as the epi pen and other medications could expire and be useless.

Remember, recognizing the early signs of an allergic reaction and activating EMS/911 as soon as possible is critical. Time is of the essence. Oh! And if you think you may have an allergy, or have ever had a severe allergic reaction, you should be sure to contact your medical professional and get a filled prescription for an emergency allergic reaction kit, AKA: bee sting kit.

I hope this helps, and best wishes.

Roy

Liquid Antihistimine Benadryl

Tags: 911, airway, allergic reaction, allergic without epi pen, allergy, allergy emergency, antihistimines, Asthma, benadryl, Difficulty Breathing, diphenhydramine, EMS, no epi pen, severe allergic reaction, treatment for allergic reaction, what to do without an epi pen

Follow Up Comment to Chest Injuries and CPR

Posted on March 8th, 2011 by Roy Shaw

I received a question from a person who after watching the “Chest Injuries and CPR” video blog asked:

Dear Roy,
Reading your letter, I would agree if the injury is just soft tissue injury. However if a # is suspected, It would be dangerous to do CPR as the # might or will puncture the lungs and cause immediate death, if immediate intervention is not available.
Kindly comment.

Bent Steering Wheel From Drivers Body

Here is my response:

Hello,

Regarding your question about Chest Injuries and CPR. It’s important to make a distinguishing point whenever we talk about CPR. When a person is in need of CPR, it means that the person is in cardiac arrest. This is to say that they are unconscious, not moving, not breathing normally. If this is the case, they are presumably in cardiac arrest or in a state that justifies Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation.

If the person needs CPR, this means that they are clinically dead. If the victim does not receive CPR, they will simply graduate to permanent death otherwise known as biological death(permanent).

This is why, regardless of the chest injury, if the person is “dead” or in need of CPR, compressions are to be given per the American Heart Association guidelines even if the complications could include those of punctured lungs, lacerated organs, or bruised/punctured heart muscle. This would be based on the theory that a person in need of CPR is already dead and will not be harmed more even if there are negative side effects from providing chest compressions. If a person remains dead, surgery is not an option but if the person is resuscitated with CPR, and alive at the hospital, we have an opportunity to fix the injuries that may have been aggravated by doing CPR.
If however, the person is awake, is breathing normally and therefore does not appear to need CPR, it would be correct that chest compressions and CPR may complicate the already damaged chest and complicate the victims injuries. As soon as the victim becomes unconscious, is not breathing normally and now appears to need CPR, Emergency Services would be contacted and CPR would be initiated regardless of the injuries of the patient.

I appreciate the question and hope that this clarifies any confusion caused by the article. Please don’t hesitate to email me again if you would like to continue dialogue on this subject.

Best Wishes,

Roy Shaw, RoyOnRescue.com
royonrescue@gmail.com

Tags: Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, chest injuries, CPR, follow up, royonrescue, should I do CPR if there's a chest injury

RoyOnRescue Personal Message to Rescue Three Team

Posted on May 4th, 2010 by Roy Shaw

Hello Rescue Three and everyone who volunteers in order to form a life saving team of rescuers for the racers of the California high desert region.   I wanted to send a video reply to tell all of you how proud I am of your commitment to the racers and the welfare of everyone who participates in off-road sports.  It sounds like your team was founded back around 1976 and I’m sure that the founders are proud of the tradition you’re upholding.

I was made aware of your rescue team because of a question asked about Snake Bites and long response times due to rough terrain.   This was a great question and I believe that many other rescuers will benefit in some way from the information that was obtained by doing a blog on that topic.

In sending a video message reply in hopes that technology will bridge the distance gap and create a more face to face relationship for rescuers around the world.  I hope you find this video message a bit more personal and connecting.

Best wishes and keep up the great work.

Roy Shaw, EMT-Paramedic
RoyOnRescue.com

Rescue Three Team Picture

Tags: Rescue Three, rescue volunteers, royonrescue personal message