[munketoes]

I'm cross posting this so I can reach as many people as possible.


As many of you know, I am a Paramedic. I was supposed to be off today, but they called me in and I went. It was supposed to be a short 10 hour shift, and then come home to my new family.

About an hour before I got off we got a call for a car down an embankment. Someone got on scene before we did and advised we had two patients. An adult who was walking around and a child that was "pretty bad".

When we got on scene, the SUV was more than 40 feet down in a gully. The vehicle had overturned and the child thrown out. She is three years old.

It took me two full minutes to climb down the steep embankment to get to her. She was unresponsive from a very significant head injury. My partner was up at the top and the loyal firefighters that were volunteering made sure that everything I needed was handed down the hill. I was working very quickly to try to clear her airway for this little girl. Her daddy was down there with us, with minor injuries, crying hysterically, and pleading for me to help her. I was working as fast as I could. He was apologizing to her for not putting her in her carseat. It was only a short trip. She made it to the hospital, but the prognosis is grim. Please pray for this little girl and her family.

And please, please, please put your child in their carseat, even if you're only going a mile. You never know what could happen.

I've been to calls like this before, different child, same story... but I guess that this one hit harder because of the finalization yesterday.

Also, please pray for the EMS and Fire guys who show up, many for free, to help these people. Sometimes it's hard to sleep at night.

[RobinKay]

Originally Posted by munketoes

I'm cross posting this so I can reach as many people as possible.


As many of you know, I am a Paramedic. I was supposed to be off today, but they called me in and I went. It was supposed to be a short 10 hour shift, and then come home to my new family.

About an hour before I got off we got a call for a car down an embankment. Someone got on scene before we did and advised we had two patients. An adult who was walking around and a child that was "pretty bad".

When we got on scene, the SUV was more than 40 feet down in a gully. The vehicle had overturned and the child thrown out. She is three years old.

It took me two full minutes to climb down the steep embankment to get to her. She was unresponsive from a very significant head injury. My partner was up at the top and the loyal firefighters that were volunteering made sure that everything I needed was handed down the hill. I was working very quickly to try to clear her airway for this little girl. Her daddy was down there with us, with minor injuries, crying hysterically, and pleading for me to help her. I was working as fast as I could. He was apologizing to her for not putting her in her carseat. It was only a short trip. She made it to the hospital, but the prognosis is grim. Please pray for this little girl and her family.

And please, please, please put your child in their carseat, even if you're only going a mile. You never know what could happen.

I've been to calls like this before, different child, same story... but I guess that this one hit harder because of the finalization yesterday.

Also, please pray for the EMS and Fire guys who show up, many for free, to help these people. Sometimes it's hard to sleep at night.

May God watch over this child, and bless all the men and women who respond to accidents.

I will be praying you can sleep tonight, after seeing this.

[munketoes]

Thank you RobinKay. Several people have been very supportive of me here tonight, and I needed it very much. I have spoken with other medics and they are helping me through this as well.... thanks to you guys too. Hopefully I will be able to sleep tonight, however it's after 11 pm and I'm not even tired yet....lol

[linda512]

I'm sorry you had to see that. It is tragic and I can't imagine the father's grief.
I recently witnessed an accident with a car that turned over with the driver trapped inside. I was amazed at how fast the paramedics and firefighters stabilized the scene and got the driver out. And he was awake and talking- he had been wearing a seatbelt.
You guys do good work. Thank you!

[Emily222]

I will definitely pray for the little girl and her family -- and for you and yours!

[Effy]

I will say a prayer for this family, for God's healing hand on that child.
I just went to the car seat safety class yesterday and this just makes it even more real, it is so important to buckle them in.

[munketoes]

Thanks Effy,
Just knowing that sharing this was able to "make it more real" is worth it. I myself am guilty in the past if "just going down the road". I promise, I will not make that mistake again. EVERYTIME is important!

[SHAMROX]

The things you do to help other people is amazing. I pray that all of you enjoy comfort and peace in what your work. I pray the little girl recovers fully and that the family can teach others about the importance of carseats and seatbelts.

[Proudfostermama]

I am praying for this little girl and her family. You will be in my prayers, also. Thanks for the work you do!

[Withay]

[[[[[Monketoes]]]]] many hugs to you.

Thank you for what you do. My brother is an EMT in CO.

Prayers are going up for this precious little girl, her family and you.

[Scrapsathome]

Our of curiosity, does anyone have an opinion on this? I got a new used vehicle this week. The lap belt is separate from the shoulder belt. The lap belt works fine, but the shoulder belt is one of those automatic ones that slides back when you turn on the car. It's stuck at an almost all the way back position, so when I try to wear it my cheek and neck are half covered and it sort of pushes me over (which is annoying because I'm trying to drive a standard). Is it really doing me any good if it's not in proper position? Is the lap belt enough?

Jess

[munketoes]

Scraps,
No the lap belt isn't enough. And if the shoulder belt isn't properly placed, it's actually MORE dangerous.

See... there are 3 impacts in a crash... your vehicle against whatever hits you (or you hit), your body against the inside of the vehicle and your organs against the inside of your body.

If your seatbelt isn't properly placed, then it can impact the way your organs impact the inside of your body. In a significant enough crash the organs can tear, called shearing, and can kill you if you aren't careful.

Now, that being said, in those types of accidents, not wearing a seatbelt usually results in being ejected. (which is way worse!)

IMHO, wearing a seatbelt is not an option. I see too many people die that wouldn't have if they had worn them. I suggest you get it fixed. It really can save your life!

[Withay]

Munketoes - how are YOU doing? Are you getting any rest?

Please know that many of us here at the forums care.

[munketoes]

Withay,
I am ok... not good, but ok. Had a nightmare on Friday night, but my husband is a medic too and he helped me through that. We also have people to talk to at work and I have spoken to others on scene as well. Working through it, best I can. It wasn't this hard before finalization. It really does change things like I didn't realize...

UPDATE ON HER
Last I heard she was flown to a hospital in Charlotte, NC. She was reported to have been in serious condition, but improving slightly. They were supposed to be doing an EEG to test for brain function, but I haven't heard of the results of that. Please keep praying. Thanks

[munketoes]

And Withay,
Thanks for caring. It means alot to me.