May 31st, 2006

No, not me... No one I know.

Names, normally, like any other obvious details tend to be forgotten when events of unexpected proportions happen.

On the way home from Vegas, during our long 6 hours exodus (which normally is 3 1/2 hours), we saw a car overturn and it landed on the side of the freeway on the opposite side of the freeway.

I busted a U-turn and drove my truck across the dirt middle divider of the freeway to go back towards the scene. I parked by the car together with the other concerned citizens and brought out my emergency kit. At that same moment an EMT driving a motorhome introduced himself as a trained first aid. He did not have a first aid kit with him. So with kit in hand I proceeded to assist him stabalizing the victims (I c an only assist because I dont have a first aid license here in the States.)

Turns out, the two young ladies were Stanford students. The passenger owned the car and the driver, well, was just nuts. The driver started cursing after it had sinked in that they just survived a horrifying accident. She kept saying sorry to her friend because she "fucked up" her car. She had bleeding from her ear which might indicate a more severe head trauma, but in general, both of them only suffered minor cuts and bruises (of course as soon as the emergency personnel arrives, the final verdict will be given). Both were really shaking and can barely speak and explain themselves.

After ten minutes they were both stable and were sitting with us on the side of the road and the "fucked up" car. We were waiting for the EMT's, the traffic is holding them up.

The driver of the car said sorry again for the Nth time. The owner just replied, " Dont say sorry, it's not your fault... I've always wanted a new car anyways..."

Things to remember in situations like above (or anywhere near the same gravity)

 - Remain calm; keeping calm make makes everybody else calm (the opposite is panicking which makes everybody else panic).

 - When you're calm, you get a sense of what's really happening so begin to case the scene and asses the situation.

 - Call for Help, this is not the last thing to do... this is one of the first things to do.

 - If anybody is hurt, avoid moving them unless it is really necessary. Internal injuries might normally not show. Even if the victims tell you they're OK, avoid movement becuase the adrenalin rush they have might still be numbing any pain in the body.

 - Keep any victim(s) calm and awake. Talk to them and begin to ask questions. Mix up simple and complicated questions. This is not to confuse them but to keep all conscious brain activities working. Yes and No questions mixed with questions that will make them access memory like birthdates, school etc.

 - If victims are stable, do not feed or give them any water. Wetting theyre lips should be sufficient for the first 30 minutes.

 - If the victim is unconscious, to not attempt AR or CPR unless you are really trained or if situtaions are as dire as can be. Check ABC's: Airway (make sure there is no blockage of the throat even if its the victims tongue), breathing (place your ear near the victime nose and mouth to hear and feel for air coming out) and Circulation (blood circulation or pulse).

 - Lossen clothing (buttons and zippers and take off the shoes) and raise the leg higher than the level of the head. Do not put any pillows under the head as it may block breathing, support the sides of the head and neck witha towel of clothing.

 OK  this is quite long.

End na... (ako yung naka red)

Thank you BADGERS for the training.