FIRST RESPONDER

Are you good in an emergency?? Most parents are out of necessity. Children love to test a parents readiness as first responders. That seems to be their major job as a mini adult.

The sad thing about our stability in emergencies is that it is unknown till tested. We may think we will be wonderful at the car accident, leaping in to give CPR and putting pressure on a bleed,but actuality may be far different. Some people are worthless and require emergency attention themselves during panic times. Such as, some husbands in the birthing room.

Now that may be unfair to those Dads who end up viewing birth from a prone position. I mean face it women, you really aren't seeing what is going on and are in too much pain and anger at that inconsiderate dolt that got you pregnant, to care about a little gore.

Others are brilliant in emergency, remaining calm and helpful as though that is totally natural. I do envy them. Then there are people, like myself, who have time limits on their ability to function as body parts are hanging by a thread. It wasn't until adult years that I could recognize a pattern in my responses to disaster. Prior to that, each puddle of blood brought on a different reaction.

As a young child, pricking my own blood blister could make me instantly hit the dirt, totally unconscious. A friend could split open his scalp on a swing and I would just be curious, pushing in to get a closer look before I kissed the earth.

Eventually, I developed a consistent reaction. That was, that I could be calm and helpful to a point but as soon as someone in authority took over, the world would spin and if I didn't get down quick, I was going to crash to the ground in a heap. I was tested often enough to prove this point.


One time, coming upon a motorcycle accident and another time helping a man who had suffered a heart attack, I was really tested. Both times, I could give first aid and comfort the victim or in the case of the heart attack, give CPR. However the minute the EMT arrived, I was useless and almost in need of care myself. Now you fellows that I maligned about the birthing room can enjoy a resounding, "AH HA!! Not so easy is it?"

This became more evident as I ran the animal shelter. The shelter was my equivalent to raising uncoordinated kids. There were the inevitable dog fights, rescuing dogs in horrific condition and the roadside car attack rescues. I learned to pinch flesh together, put pressure on bleeding wounds and push intestines back into the stomach cavity, all while driving a stick shift on the way to the veterinary.


Don't know if you have read the James Herriot series but if you are an animal lover, they are very worth while. They are warm, funny, true stories of a veterinary in England. My vet reminded me very much of James Herriot and was also named Jim. We had a great relationship. His wife once told me that Jim's response when I called was that it had to be serious and he would hurry to meet me.

Many a night, we would be in his surgery with me helping him ever so briefly as he glued a dog back together or searched for the cause of the animal's distress. My consistent response now is that I will hold it together as long as there is no one else to do it. As soon as a EMT puts his hand on a person or a vet puts his hand on an animal, it is now his responsibility. My task is done and I am no longer required to remain conscious. All those things previously keeping me upright, buckle and leave me looking for a soft spot to crash. Now that I know my routine, I seldom hit the floor hard.

Usually with Jim, as soon as he lifted the dog onto the examination table, I would just say "Excuse me," then lay flat on the floor, looking up at him and the bottom of the table. Jim would just laugh as we continued with a normal conversation regarding the progress he was making with the animal. So I guess you could say I am a functional first responder, just not good for the long run. We all can only do what we can with what we have been given.

And how are you in an emergency??