I learnt about first aid from this...

[ScubaK@]

This isn't quite 'I learnt about diving', but since many people on here are first aid trained, I thought that if I posted my experience this weekend, then hopefully people will feel more prepared and confident to act if you are ever in the unfortunate position to need to. If you are squeamish you may not want to read this, though I am certainly not wanting this to discourage anyone from helping.

On Sunday me and my family were sitting in the garden having lunch, when a lady ran down the street asking for help, because someone had fainted, and they were trying to call an ambulance and didn't know where they were. Several of us got up to go and see if we could be of any assistance.

I arrived, and my Dad had the victim in the recivery position, but the guy was blue, so the first thing I did was roll him onto his back, open the airway and look, listen and feel for breathing. I was shaking so much at this point I could hardly support his chin, and things got worse at it became very clear he wasn't breathing.

At this point I was surprised by my lack of hesitation. I had no barriers, and the guy was in his mid 50's, with a beard, just post lunch, and also obviously a smoker. I gave him two breaths. My first shock was the sound of the exhalation. When you give a resus doll rescue breaths the exhalation is a quiet hiss. This time the noise was a rattling gurgle. Not expected, and it gave me the most horrible shock.

My next step was to start compressions, this agin felt very different, and I could feel ribs crunching. I gave hime 30, and then 2 more breaths. During the next set of compressions I started to force his stomach contents back up, and he started vomiting, and I am very thankful to say at this point another local resident who happened to be a Dr arrived, and I was able to continue compressions whilst he cleared the airway and continued to give breaths. I couldn't have done it. The paramedics arrived after about 10 minutes, and he was put into an ambulance after 15 minutes, having been defidrillated (another nasty shock to see the way he moved), with a pulse but still not breathing.

I don't want to upset anyone, but I have been in shock for a good 24hrs following this experience, and feel that if I had been better prepared for what to expect then I wouldn't have spent the last 2 nights pretty much sleepless.

So,

1. Carry barriers. In the car, on your keys, somewhere. I did for about 3 years, and then about a month ago the keyring broke and I never replaced it. I now have.

2. Talk about it. With anyone and everyone.

3. You will be in shock afterwards. I felt sick for 24hours, and was lightheaded and shakey for a good 12.

4. Remember, that if they're not breathing and have no pulse they are dead, and there is absolutley nothing you can do to make them any worse.

5. Finally, PRACTICE your skills. I'm an EFR instructor, so I practice about once every two months. I'm not sure I could have done what I did if I'd done 1 course a year ago.

I really DO NOT want this to put people off helping. I've been feeling pretty crap in the tiome since Sunday afternoon, but I equally dread to think how much worse I would have felt if I hadn't tried to help. I still have not heard whether the man in question pulled through or not.

[SoggyFox]

your actions gave him a better chance of surviving than doing nothing.

[Scubee]

Well done, kat. Good advice.
If he pulls through, it will be largely down to yours and your neighbours actions.

[ScubaK@]

Thank you guys. I want to be clear that I'm pretty comfortable that I did all I could, and I'm confident that what I did was as good as can be expected from a layperson, and I'm still traumatised!!! I really want to prepare people for how they may feel, so it's not so much of a shock!

[paramedic paul]

Well done for getting involved, by the sounds of it you did absolutely everything you could! It amazes me how many times we turn up to jobs to find a crowd around someone and no one even trying to help in the least way, not even putting the patient in the recovery position!

As for your "bullet points," i have to agree with all of them. For me the most important "post" incident action is to talk about it, talk to anyone who will listen, talk to someone who knows a bit about "the job" (me if you like!) We in the job talk about incidents all the time, it's our coping mechanism. Of course sometimes it's gallows humour that gets us through but if thats what it takes then thats what it takes.

I don't mean this in a patronising manner but well done again!

[BJ]

You did what you had to do. It is disappointing when you realise that so many people merely run round like chickens without heads - and then try to attribute blame afterwards (in Court too in my case) to cover up their own fallibilities. Well done. As you have found out, there is a big difference between practice and the real thing but lets hope most people only get to be well-practised.

[ShinyD]

Well done sounds patronising, but it's not meant that way

I've just got home from doing a first aid at work course from which I learned a lot, and more importantly practiced CPR on the resus doll a few times.

I did it because my worst nightmare is being in a position where I could help someone, but not have even the basic skills to do so. You've just proved my point to me.

[ScubaK@]

First thank you all again for your supportive words, and second I've heard this evening that the man in question is still alive in hospital at the moment! It really is worth giving trying to help. You never know, it might just make the difference. (though I don't think he's concious, and he may not pull through).

[Davwardo]

Well done ScubaK. Your actions may have saved a life. Thats why we do these courses. If he doesn't pull through, at least you know you gave him a fighting chance and it just wasn't meant to be.

[Jay_Benson]

When I did a similar thing I was doing the compressions for a paramedic whilst she did the breathing bag thing. During the first cycle I got balled at by her as I was going too slow and too soft - I soon speeded up. When I broke his ribs I was told if it hurts thats good because he is alive.

To cut a long story short the paramedic was really supportive afterwards and explained why I was going too slow and too soft. She asked how I felt and when I said I felt drained and sh1t she assured me this was entirely normal - she sat down with me (the casualty was being treated by the other paramedic and a doctor) and went over the incident.

I still felt wobbly for some time but pleased that I had been able to help.