(Please note: this was a training scenario and did not involve real patients)
At 1300 today, the NSH EMS crew was dispatched to a two-person motor vehicle accident with ejection.
Upon arrival, they found the unresponsive patient, face down, at the bottom of a hill surrounded by brush, trees, and rock.
The second patient was found a few yards away, deceased.
It was noted that the patient had open lacerations to the face and forehead, a spinal injury, collapsed lung, and an uncontrolled bleed at the upper thigh.
Due to the high winds, heavy rains, and visibility challenges, air care was not able to fly.
First responders were also not available, but a deputy was on scene to assist as needed.
I’m a firm believer in ‘practicing like you play’.
Those in EMS know that it doesn’t take long to learn that not many things go as smoothly as intended.
Sometimes, inclement weather wreaks havoc, the patient is not easily accessible, resources are few, equipment breaks at the most inopportune time, there’s a gap in communications, you name it.
But today, the NSH EMS crew practiced with purpose. They came together as a team. They overcame the obstacles and they’re a better crew as a result.
-Karla, Director of EMS
(Photo credit: Ben Belland, NSH EMT / Karla Pankow, EMS Director)