I came across an unconscious woman - what should I do?
Discussion
fair play OP, well done! I did a first response course a while ago, fortunately never had to use it in practice.
One thing for others which I took away from that course was if you do have to go and look for a phone and the like, just be mindful that at that point you don't know what's happening, the person may have sharps etc in their pockets which you don't know about so just be careful!
One thing for others which I took away from that course was if you do have to go and look for a phone and the like, just be mindful that at that point you don't know what's happening, the person may have sharps etc in their pockets which you don't know about so just be careful!
I neighbour nicked a blood vessel in her leg. She had extensive varicose veins and there was blood all the way down the stairs to where she collapsed. Her son had phoned us saying there was no reply to the phone. A quick glance through the letter box showed what looked like a charnel house. I had a key. I phoned the ambulance service and asked what to do. A woman came on the line, asked a few questions and then gave directions. Talk about reassuring. I could not detect a pulse in the woman's wrist but I was told not to worry as if the blood was still being pumped out - I had pressure on it but it was still seeping - it was a good sign.
My wife got all the pills on her table to show to the ambulance team.
They were unable to detect any blood pressure and were concerned but a doctor arrived within a couple of minutes and all sorts of gubbins were plugged in.
The 999 service was superb. Not only good, accurate and life-saving info, but all instructions given in a calming tone.
If her son had not phoned when he did, she would have died. It was touch and go.
Fair wore me out. I was shaking after the doctor arrived and he asked me to remain so as to ensure I was alright.
My wife got all the pills on her table to show to the ambulance team.
They were unable to detect any blood pressure and were concerned but a doctor arrived within a couple of minutes and all sorts of gubbins were plugged in.
The 999 service was superb. Not only good, accurate and life-saving info, but all instructions given in a calming tone.
If her son had not phoned when he did, she would have died. It was touch and go.
Fair wore me out. I was shaking after the doctor arrived and he asked me to remain so as to ensure I was alright.
Shoegrip said:
FunkyNige said:
Shoegrip said:
Very good point about the necklace though as if this kind of thing happens again, I won't be so reluctant to invade personal space. They could be dying.
The first aid course I went on said to give a commentary of what you're doing so if they're unconscious but aware of voices they don't worry about what you're doing, ie. just say "I'm just going to check if you've got an emergency necklace on", or "I'll just look in your pockets for your phone to see if there's emergency contact details on it".When I posted this, I was wondering whether it is best to move them or not. As it was, she didn't need moving much.
OP : You did very well sir!
I think everyone should take a course. I never want to be in a situation where I say "If only I had known basic first aid, I might have saved [insert name of relative or close friend]". I might not be able to save their lives but at least I know I did everything I could.
Well done OP. I once called 999 for a woman who collapsed and smacked her head in the middle of Cardiff, out cold. I found it very odd how many people (tens) just ignored it, so sadly I don't think just anyone would've done what you did.
What I thought was even more odd was she'd come round just as the paramedics arrived and within maybe 30 seconds she just decided to walk off without any protest from them. Having since seen someone get knocked out, get up and pass out again I'd probably be more insistent they take some time to come round.
What I thought was even more odd was she'd come round just as the paramedics arrived and within maybe 30 seconds she just decided to walk off without any protest from them. Having since seen someone get knocked out, get up and pass out again I'd probably be more insistent they take some time to come round.
klmhcp said:
PrancingHorses said:
Well done mate, need more people in this world like you....many would have ignored her!
How incredibly sad that you see our country (or species actually) like that when it couldn't be further from the truth. I parked my bike across the road about ten yards before her and put the hazards on, talked to her, called an ambulance etc and only one couple stopped out of about 15-20 people who walked past
Bit disappointing really
amancalledrob said:
klmhcp said:
PrancingHorses said:
Well done mate, need more people in this world like you....many would have ignored her!
How incredibly sad that you see our country (or species actually) like that when it couldn't be further from the truth. I parked my bike across the road about ten yards before her and put the hazards on, talked to her, called an ambulance etc and only one couple stopped out of about 15-20 people who walked past
Bit disappointing really
Hoofy said:
amancalledrob said:
klmhcp said:
PrancingHorses said:
Well done mate, need more people in this world like you....many would have ignored her!
How incredibly sad that you see our country (or species actually) like that when it couldn't be further from the truth. I parked my bike across the road about ten yards before her and put the hazards on, talked to her, called an ambulance etc and only one couple stopped out of about 15-20 people who walked past
Bit disappointing really
I try to always help, but, for all the many people who will stop and help someone in need there are more who will just walk past, either they don't think they can help, they think it is under control or in rare cases they don't care.
The big issue is that many people don't want to be the first to help, i have gone to people needing help in busy areas who say they have been there for a few minutes, but generally someone else has come to assist within a minute or two.
Derek said:
The 999 service was superb. Not only good, accurate and life-saving info, but all instructions given in a calming tone.
I have never had the pleasure myself, but from watching 999 what's your emergency on TV the people in the ambulance call centre do a really fantastic jobDefcon5 said:
Derek said:
The 999 service was superb. Not only good, accurate and life-saving info, but all instructions given in a calming tone.
I have never had the pleasure myself, but from watching 999 what's your emergency on TV the people in the ambulance call centre do a really fantastic jobbrrapp said:
I've no wish to denigrate the operators who I agree do a fantastic job, but I wish they could be given some scope to depart from the set script on occasions when parts of it are obviously not appropriate. On one occasion I found a body which had clearly been dead for at least a few days and was in a state of decomposition but the operator still had to run through the 'Is he conscious, is he breathing, can you take a pulse? script before calling anyone.
How would you change the process?JumboBeef said:
brrapp said:
I've no wish to denigrate the operators who I agree do a fantastic job, but I wish they could be given some scope to depart from the set script on occasions when parts of it are obviously not appropriate. On one occasion I found a body which had clearly been dead for at least a few days and was in a state of decomposition but the operator still had to run through the 'Is he conscious, is he breathing, can you take a pulse? script before calling anyone.
How would you change the process?brrapp said:
JumboBeef said:
brrapp said:
I've no wish to denigrate the operators who I agree do a fantastic job, but I wish they could be given some scope to depart from the set script on occasions when parts of it are obviously not appropriate. On one occasion I found a body which had clearly been dead for at least a few days and was in a state of decomposition but the operator still had to run through the 'Is he conscious, is he breathing, can you take a pulse? script before calling anyone.
How would you change the process?
amancalledrob said:
klmhcp said:
PrancingHorses said:
Well done mate, need more people in this world like you....many would have ignored her!
How incredibly sad that you see our country (or species actually) like that when it couldn't be further from the truth. I parked my bike across the road about ten yards before her and put the hazards on, talked to her, called an ambulance etc and only one couple stopped out of about 15-20 people who walked past
Bit disappointing really
We're actually very lucky in this country where helping out is praised and encouraged.
I remember being confused as a young squaddie (with very good first aid skills as you'd expect for a soldier) on his first posting to Germany being told never to assist, just call the services and walk away. Reasoning being that if you did even the smallest thing but their condition deteriorated or they died, you could be held legally responsible.
Many countries are like this.
Anyway, awesome work OP and those that have helped.
I remember being confused as a young squaddie (with very good first aid skills as you'd expect for a soldier) on his first posting to Germany being told never to assist, just call the services and walk away. Reasoning being that if you did even the smallest thing but their condition deteriorated or they died, you could be held legally responsible.
Many countries are like this.
Anyway, awesome work OP and those that have helped.
Edited by Mothersruin on Friday 21st October 10:45
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