So last month our dive team had training regarding what happens if we have a medical emergency. We had AMR paramedics, the 911 ambulance provider come out and give us their advice, regarding what we should do to help the victim/patient before 911 gets there.
Our county EMS protocol, states that all submerging accidents, require the patient be c-spined(patient on a backboard). Our team talked about that, and although there is always a possibility of a spinal accident, we thought that there would be a greater likelihood of one of our divers or surface personnel having a heart attack or stroke while underwater.
The paramedics told us the best thing that we could do, would be to collect as much information as possible, and to keep the patient warm, dry, and exposed. Our paramedics told us that if we do have an accident, and that 911 is not on scene by the time we get the patient out of the water, they want the patient stripped, and as dry as possible. If you have an emergency blanket(space blanket), those work very well to keep the body temp up.
They also needed to know important information such as depth of the water, time the diver was in the water, water temperature, dry suit/wet suit, any idea of what happened?
they also wanted to know the persons HAM: history, allergies, and medications. since if the person is out cold, there is no likely way to get find out, our dive team decided to have all of this information pre filled out in a locked container with us at all times.
Since this kind of information can be touchy, and very personal, we are trying our best to keep it confidential. I'm trying to get everyone to fill out on a piece of paper, their name, emergency contact info, insurance plan and number, past medical history, allergies to food and medications, and medications they take if any. All of this information will be sealed in an envelope, and put in a box that will be kept on our trailer which is with us at all times.
What do you think about this idea? Has your team practiced not only contingency drills, but what to do after you rescue or recover the person? Do you have any other ideas?
Our county EMS protocol, states that all submerging accidents, require the patient be c-spined(patient on a backboard). Our team talked about that, and although there is always a possibility of a spinal accident, we thought that there would be a greater likelihood of one of our divers or surface personnel having a heart attack or stroke while underwater.
The paramedics told us the best thing that we could do, would be to collect as much information as possible, and to keep the patient warm, dry, and exposed. Our paramedics told us that if we do have an accident, and that 911 is not on scene by the time we get the patient out of the water, they want the patient stripped, and as dry as possible. If you have an emergency blanket(space blanket), those work very well to keep the body temp up.
They also needed to know important information such as depth of the water, time the diver was in the water, water temperature, dry suit/wet suit, any idea of what happened?
they also wanted to know the persons HAM: history, allergies, and medications. since if the person is out cold, there is no likely way to get find out, our dive team decided to have all of this information pre filled out in a locked container with us at all times.
Since this kind of information can be touchy, and very personal, we are trying our best to keep it confidential. I'm trying to get everyone to fill out on a piece of paper, their name, emergency contact info, insurance plan and number, past medical history, allergies to food and medications, and medications they take if any. All of this information will be sealed in an envelope, and put in a box that will be kept on our trailer which is with us at all times.
What do you think about this idea? Has your team practiced not only contingency drills, but what to do after you rescue or recover the person? Do you have any other ideas?