wstorms
Contributor
Although not a diving incident, I wanted to share this anyway, maybe it benefits somebody. It is a personal story of a tragic event, I will try to write it as factual as I can.
As an EFR instructor, I signed up to volunteer at a service (in the Netherlands, "HartslagNu") that sends out an alert to first aid responders when the EMS are called. When the EMS dispatches an ambulance to an address nearby, and suspects CPR is needed, I (and other volunteers like me) get an automated text and call with the details. The idea is you go out, provide CPR as needed and hand over to the professionals.
This morning I got a call and went over. Another responder was already there, ambulance on the way. We provided CPR (including rescue breaths) until the ambulance arrived. The medics took over, but stopped after a few minutes and some thorough testing. The patient was dead and had been for a while.
For me this was the first time when I provided CPR in actual real live instead of training. Although it was unpleasant, I am still glad that I did. Maybe some day I need it myself, and I like to think somebody would do if for me.
However, I did provide CPR without personal protection. Not a good idea during these corona times. In hindsight, I did know to provide chest compresions only, but in the moment, I did not remember and provided rescue breaths as well. It stressed me out quite a bit. What if I got corona because of it? Or what if it was something completely different? What would it mean for me and my wife?
Back at home I showered, brushed my teeth for 20 minutes and cleaned the bathroom with bleach after all that. It doesn't really matter much, but it did help my own state of mind.
My wife is really supportive, and it really helped talking about it with her. I am still a bit shaken, but will be fine.
A moment ago I got a call from the police. The lab determined the cause of death was an overdose, no sign of any sickness, including corona. Although tragic, I can't help but feel some (selfish?) relief.
All in all I will be fine, but wanted to share this in the hope that it might help somebody in some form. The lesson learned (and repeated by the professionals):
If you don't have protection available, do not provide rescue breaths but only provide chest compressions.
As an EFR instructor, I signed up to volunteer at a service (in the Netherlands, "HartslagNu") that sends out an alert to first aid responders when the EMS are called. When the EMS dispatches an ambulance to an address nearby, and suspects CPR is needed, I (and other volunteers like me) get an automated text and call with the details. The idea is you go out, provide CPR as needed and hand over to the professionals.
This morning I got a call and went over. Another responder was already there, ambulance on the way. We provided CPR (including rescue breaths) until the ambulance arrived. The medics took over, but stopped after a few minutes and some thorough testing. The patient was dead and had been for a while.
For me this was the first time when I provided CPR in actual real live instead of training. Although it was unpleasant, I am still glad that I did. Maybe some day I need it myself, and I like to think somebody would do if for me.
However, I did provide CPR without personal protection. Not a good idea during these corona times. In hindsight, I did know to provide chest compresions only, but in the moment, I did not remember and provided rescue breaths as well. It stressed me out quite a bit. What if I got corona because of it? Or what if it was something completely different? What would it mean for me and my wife?
Back at home I showered, brushed my teeth for 20 minutes and cleaned the bathroom with bleach after all that. It doesn't really matter much, but it did help my own state of mind.
My wife is really supportive, and it really helped talking about it with her. I am still a bit shaken, but will be fine.
A moment ago I got a call from the police. The lab determined the cause of death was an overdose, no sign of any sickness, including corona. Although tragic, I can't help but feel some (selfish?) relief.
All in all I will be fine, but wanted to share this in the hope that it might help somebody in some form. The lesson learned (and repeated by the professionals):
If you don't have protection available, do not provide rescue breaths but only provide chest compressions.