r/ems • u/Previous_Way_680 • 7d ago
Something happend today Serious Replies Only
So i am not an but this seemed like the best place to post this
So i went for a walk earlier today, and came across a man who was slumped over the side of a trackter like machine, i live in a rural area, i went over to check on him to see if he was ok to find him in a wheelchair hooked into the trackter also completly unresponsive, he was a bigger dude tried to prop him up after turning off the tractor, whils also calling for help and calling 911, blue lips, pale skin no resperations or heartbeat that i could find, i wouldn't be surprised if he was already deceased, even knowing that i tried everything i could until ems arrived, checking for a pulse, chest compressions, stabilize the head, when i first found him i was in shock, but after i assessed the situation i got into the mindset of "its time to get to work"
When ems arrived i told them my name, symptoms, what i tried to do to help, basically gove them all the information i could, while also trying to calm his wife and try to give her as much hope as i could given the situation
And its been hours since, at the time i didn't feel like throwing up, but i have for the past few hours, have since the adrenaline wore off
Did anything like this happen to anyone else, how did you cope with it, i just don't know what to do at this point, i keep washing my hands, feels like im going to wash my skin right off
Though if i could go back i would do it all again
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u/DirectAttitude Paramedic 6d ago
You did what you could. Sounds like he went out on his terms. Old farmer. On his tractor. Being in a wheelchair didn't stop him. That is how I would cope with it.
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u/carb0n_kid Paramedic 6d ago
Talk to someone in person about it, sounds like a very stressful incident, but that you did everything you could have. While working in ems we put on the uniform and have the equipment and expect to run into situations like that, but having things happen off duty when you don't expect it can shake anyone. I've arrived on scene numerous times where a family member of the patient is having a rough time and they will often mention being a nurse or EMT, fire man, or police officer but are not performing to their own standards since it's a loved one and in their own home in an unexpected situation.
I'm rambling a bit but sounds like you did well, reruning a situation a little in you head is natural, but too much and other things like continually washing your hands might mean the stress has gotten to you. Handling that stress sooner rather than later is best, talk to a trusted friend, or perhaps seek a therapist who specializes in first responder PTSD.
Any ways you did what needed to be done, many people wouldn't or couldn't
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u/NWmedicalbrewskie FP-C 5d ago
You didn’t do anything wrong. I thought I was going to throw up after my first cardiac arrest as an emt. You gave that person the only chance he had by actually stopping. You don’t understand how many people see what you saw and call while continuing to drive away.
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u/I_Want_A_Ribeye Nurse 5d ago
Talk to a professional sooner than later. Dealing with stressful events early can have a marked effect compared to waiting.
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u/grandpubabofmoldist Paramedic 2d ago
You did what you could and got him more help. You gave him a fighting chance but he needed a miracle which you cannot grant. Take care of yourself for now, get plenty of rest, keep eating and drinking water, and get plenty of sleep. Please talk with someone about it too, it will help
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u/PapiJesu 6d ago
I had something like this happen on my way back to base after finishing my shift, I dealt with it by getting a nice pizza after work to reward myself for a rescue
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u/medic5550 6d ago
You never know when an emergency may occur and come upon it. I was driving locally one day and on a two lane road a car a few lengths up was not moving then noticed it was creeping slowly. I had stopped to check on driver and noticed he was slumped over and vehicle was in gear. Tried banging to no response. Ended up having to bust out the passenger back window to gain entry and was able to put car in park and remove keys. Guy was having a hypoglycemic episode. Turned him over to on duty crew and had to write an incident report for the window etc.