Prayers for some guy.

[Hitch]

I did CPR on a guy today, chest compressions. All I know about this guy, is he's maybe 70 years old. His friend called for help, we saw him on the dock collapsed. Everyone pitched in to help, which was amazing.

I started chest compressions per the 911 operators advise. During which, I felt his one of his ribs break. That's a terrible feeling. The 2nd rib broke and continued to poke into my hand while I did the compressions. I'll never forget that feeling.

When the fire dept and emt's showed up, they had some fancy device that pounded his chest much harder than I did. I'm sure all his ribs were broken at that point.

All I know is what I observed after that. His heart went into defib. They shocked him twice. They also gave him epinephrine. He was bleeding from his ears, eyes, and his airway was clogged with blood. They carted him off...lights and sirens.

I just wanted to ask the forum for a prayer for that guy. I don't even know his name.

[vacuum]

Wow. Did he actually start breathing at any point, or was he just dead?

[Hitch]

Wow. Did he actually start breathing at any point, or was he just dead?

He was breathing when I got to him, and he had a pulse. His face went blue pretty quick though, and that's when we started CPR.

It's breaking of the ribs that gets me. You can't just shake that off, it sticks with you. I know it's part of CPR, but fuck, that sucks. You feel it, snap. Damn, shaking your hands doesn't get rid of that feeling.

[Twisted Titan]

Be glad you were in a situation to render aid and you kept cool in a volatile situation.

its natural to feel skittish because we are hardwired to believe that if we break something we are doing something bad and we are going to get in trouble

so it hard to reverse that wiring.


We all hope the best the for best but regardless of what his fate is you did the best you could , with what you had and that is all we can do.

Dam good job Brother.

[crimethink]

Prayer said for the guy down, and prayer said for the Good Samaritan (you), as well.

You did what needed to be done, and took the risk (physically, emotionally, and legally) to do it. Peace to you.

[singular_me]

he probably was suffering from osteoporosis that his rib cracked and it is good that you have witnesses.

I am sending all my best vibes to that guy.

[Twisted Titan]

Sad that we live in a world where if you render aid and in the process hurt someone .....there is a real possibility that you can be sued in a court of law.

[Hitch]

Sad that we live in a world where if you render aid and in the process hurt someone .....there is a real possibility that you can be sued in a court of law.

It is sad, and you've got to be careful who you help. However, with CPR, cracked ribs is what happens on old people. In fact, if you aren't cracking ribs, you likely aren't doing your compressions correctly.

If someone has no pulse and no breathing, they are clinically dead. Please, anyone reading, do CPR on that person. You can't hurt them anymore than being dead is to them. Don't worry about lawsuits, there's good Samaritan laws, and no lawyer on earth would take a case like that. Not in regards to CPR.

In my case, the 911 call was recorded. They said to start CPR. I'm cracking ribs if needed to get good compression on that heart. It sucks to do that, and it's a feeling that stays with you for life, but it's all in God's hands at that time anyway.

[Hitch]

Found some closure to this incident. I ran into the woman who was with the man we tried to help today. She told me his name was Ron, and he did pass on. They had a memorial for him this last Sunday. She thanked me and told me that I did a great thing on that horrible day. I told her we all did everything we could for him, and that I was sorry for her loss. Sad, but figured I'd let you all know, since your comments were very helpful. RIP, Ron. We know his name now. Wish I had the chance to know him as a person though.

[boogietillyapuke]

Just saw this......ya did good.....proud of ya.

Came across a accident years ago on I-10 between a pickup and a semi loaded with chickens at 2-3am on the way back to Jax. Took turns pumping him for 30 minutes before the EMT's got there and "called" him.

[Twisted Titan]

Found some closure to this incident. I ran into the woman who was with the man we tried to help today. She told me his name was Ron, and he did pass on. They had a memorial for him this last Sunday. She thanked me and told me that I did a great thing on that horrible day. I told her we all did everything we could for him, and that I was sorry for her loss. Sad, but figured I'd let you all know, since your comments were very helpful. RIP, Ron. We know his name now. Wish I had the chance to know him as a person though.

I work in the ER and death is the common companion

We have a saying that tends to help when we lose a person that should have " made it"


When God puts His hand on someone's right shoulder. .......you have to take your hand off their left shoulder.



It helps puts things in proper prespective