First responders of lemmy, do you ever find yourself hating the people you're saving when you're constantly dealing with easily-avoidable catastrophes?
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P.S. Mentioning COVID-19 is considered cheating in this thread (just kidding, fire away).
I thought for a second I was a first responder, since I am the first person to respond to your post. I am a bit drunk and very sorry for my useless comment.
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I thought for a second I was a first responder, since I am the first person to respond to your post. I am a bit drunk and very sorry for my useless comment.
wrote last edited by [email protected]You did not answer the question, though. Do you hate OP? (I guess your response is the "easily-avoidable catastrophe")
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P.S. Mentioning COVID-19 is considered cheating in this thread (just kidding, fire away).
There's a patient that we would see a couple of days per month. They'd OD on heroin, we hit them with narcan and an electrolyte IV to hydrate. He'd eat something and leave. We would give him resources to get some help. Each time I'd get more and more angry.
6 months of this and I finally asked why he'd OD almost like clockwork. He said the good stuff sold fast and he'd only get enough for like 2 maybe 3 hits(?highs, fixes?) The guy's life was just waiting on his dealer to get it. He would figure out how to make enough cash to keep his withdrawals at bay while saving up to buy up as much as he could when the good stuff arrived.
The last time I saw him, day shift told me he came in, got hit with narcan twice, this was after EMTs had given him narcan as well. when he was steady enough, he left AMA(against medical advice). He came back 3 hrs later for another OD. Doctor came in and told him he's killing himself. this organ is damaged, this one has this, blah, blah, blah. He responded that he'd be fine if we would stop killing his high. I did the usual and he left sometime the next day.
We haven't seen him in 4 months. I guess he finally got to enjoy his high.
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There's a patient that we would see a couple of days per month. They'd OD on heroin, we hit them with narcan and an electrolyte IV to hydrate. He'd eat something and leave. We would give him resources to get some help. Each time I'd get more and more angry.
6 months of this and I finally asked why he'd OD almost like clockwork. He said the good stuff sold fast and he'd only get enough for like 2 maybe 3 hits(?highs, fixes?) The guy's life was just waiting on his dealer to get it. He would figure out how to make enough cash to keep his withdrawals at bay while saving up to buy up as much as he could when the good stuff arrived.
The last time I saw him, day shift told me he came in, got hit with narcan twice, this was after EMTs had given him narcan as well. when he was steady enough, he left AMA(against medical advice). He came back 3 hrs later for another OD. Doctor came in and told him he's killing himself. this organ is damaged, this one has this, blah, blah, blah. He responded that he'd be fine if we would stop killing his high. I did the usual and he left sometime the next day.
We haven't seen him in 4 months. I guess he finally got to enjoy his high.
I have a friend who's a volunteer EMT and has basically the same story. Lots of repeat customers, and some people get all pissy after Narcan because it killed their high.
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P.S. Mentioning COVID-19 is considered cheating in this thread (just kidding, fire away).
wrote last edited by [email protected]My first job after school and job training was being a paramedic. I was never mad at suicidal people or folks OD'ing. They are in a shit situation in life. But easily avoidable deaths? Jaysus Christ on a bike and all his carpenter friends...
Train surfing morons (electricity fueled power lines and low hanging traffic signs!!!). People trying to walk through closed train barriers and getting hit. Car drivers speeding. People looking at their phones while crossing the street.
There's a reason why I quit that job after 2 years. Oh dear lord am I mad at those gobshites just thinking back.EDIT: Maybe because I'm mad as hell right now again: I live in a tiny village, so people would assume there's not much going on there, but we have two major train lines running through it. The tounge in cheeck joke here is: "The train barriers are always closed".
Yes, many times enough, you need to wait patiently in front of them before you can walk again, drive you car again, ride your bike again. A 19 year old girl was thinking otherwise just yesterday and got mown over by a train. While I was standing there.What did I do? Calling the firefighters, knowing that's a lost cause and they will have to spray that fucking 30 meters of blood away with their hoses. Also calling the firefighters here, they are deeply connected with paramedics - not that anyone needed them at that time anymore, but they have emergency psychologists on speed dial as well - for example for the train driver and any bystanders. Blergh. Fucking idiots... Ruining everyone's day. I didn't notify the cops around here because they are usually the first responders here at a very busy double highway with people speeding. I didn't want to fuck up their day as well. Eventually they turned up as well, but only after there was some cleaning and they just interviewed witnesses for the report.
EDIT 2: Before you ask: I arrived just a minute too late to pull her away from getting too close to the tracks.
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My first job after school and job training was being a paramedic. I was never mad at suicidal people or folks OD'ing. They are in a shit situation in life. But easily avoidable deaths? Jaysus Christ on a bike and all his carpenter friends...
Train surfing morons (electricity fueled power lines and low hanging traffic signs!!!). People trying to walk through closed train barriers and getting hit. Car drivers speeding. People looking at their phones while crossing the street.
There's a reason why I quit that job after 2 years. Oh dear lord am I mad at those gobshites just thinking back.EDIT: Maybe because I'm mad as hell right now again: I live in a tiny village, so people would assume there's not much going on there, but we have two major train lines running through it. The tounge in cheeck joke here is: "The train barriers are always closed".
Yes, many times enough, you need to wait patiently in front of them before you can walk again, drive you car again, ride your bike again. A 19 year old girl was thinking otherwise just yesterday and got mown over by a train. While I was standing there.What did I do? Calling the firefighters, knowing that's a lost cause and they will have to spray that fucking 30 meters of blood away with their hoses. Also calling the firefighters here, they are deeply connected with paramedics - not that anyone needed them at that time anymore, but they have emergency psychologists on speed dial as well - for example for the train driver and any bystanders. Blergh. Fucking idiots... Ruining everyone's day. I didn't notify the cops around here because they are usually the first responders here at a very busy double highway with people speeding. I didn't want to fuck up their day as well. Eventually they turned up as well, but only after there was some cleaning and they just interviewed witnesses for the report.
EDIT 2: Before you ask: I arrived just a minute too late to pull her away from getting too close to the tracks.
Friend, I hope that leaves your head some time soon.
This should help. Talking about it helps.
Be good to yourself today. -
P.S. Mentioning COVID-19 is considered cheating in this thread (just kidding, fire away).
Every medic develops a profound resentment for the stupidity of man.
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Friend, I hope that leaves your head some time soon.
This should help. Talking about it helps.
Be good to yourself today.wrote last edited by [email protected]I can't undo what happened, I've seen such shite before, but I was walking my teeny tiny dog and when I saw what was inevitably happening, I took my dog on my arms and turned around 180 degrees. Yeah, it was horrible what happened, I was close to the person getting hit, but not close enough. Even if I ran, not a snowball's chance in hell. Sometimes you can't do anything.
But yeah, I am okay. I've seen shite like that before, jumpers. My dog is sleeping on my chest now and didn't see / notice any of it.
EDIT: Also, thank you for being concerned, but I'm okay.
Do not worry about me. -
I have a friend who's a volunteer EMT and has basically the same story. Lots of repeat customers, and some people get all pissy after Narcan because it killed their high.
wrote last edited by [email protected]In New York City, they hand out Narcan for free. They also provide free training for people just in case you happen to see someone overdosing, which isn’t terrifically uncommon.
I used to carry around a dose of Narcan for just such a situation. Once, about four or five years ago I think, I saw some guy ODing on the A train platform. Hit him with the Narcan.
Since it’s a nasal spray, I’m all up in his face when he suddenly (and violently) wakes up and pukes on me. I was
on my way to work… after about 2 seconds, he looks right at me and sucker punches me. Just laid me out on the platform.Some big dude who was standing close by drags me away from the guy as he starts screaming at me about ruining the best high if his life (yeah, whatever asshole) before running off.
Thing is, I used to be a junkie myself. I’ve been off that shit for 21 years now, but I still very much remember. I get it. I feel somewhat obligated, as a service, to do what I can to help when I can. Was that guy shitty and an asshole? Absolutely because I can. Am I glad I probably saved his life? You bet. Am I gonna keep doing this? Absolutely. Why? Because it makes the world a better place, and the benefit far out weighs the cost.
Addiction isn’t a “weakness“. It’s a legitimate illness, and this country vilifies it rather than treating it as the medical condition that it is. Obviously, money is the motivation here. Or, rather, I should say: profit.
The world could deal with more kindness. If I can put more kindness in the world without it really being that big of a deal for me? Why shouldn’t I?
Edit: spelling and grammar
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P.S. Mentioning COVID-19 is considered cheating in this thread (just kidding, fire away).
Religious people are the bane of my existence.
I won't type out the details. Try to keep it short.
Many years ago a religious woman called her "birth coach/midwife" or whatever the hell it's called for her religion. Instead of calling 911.
The umbilical cord had come out first. And the baby obviously compresses it.
She let her FULL term baby die inside her belly.
Fuck religion!
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P.S. Mentioning COVID-19 is considered cheating in this thread (just kidding, fire away).
Not a first responder, but it's called compassion fatigue: https://www.cma.ca/physician-wellness-hub/content/compassion-fatigue-signs-symptoms-and-how-cope
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In New York City, they hand out Narcan for free. They also provide free training for people just in case you happen to see someone overdosing, which isn’t terrifically uncommon.
I used to carry around a dose of Narcan for just such a situation. Once, about four or five years ago I think, I saw some guy ODing on the A train platform. Hit him with the Narcan.
Since it’s a nasal spray, I’m all up in his face when he suddenly (and violently) wakes up and pukes on me. I was
on my way to work… after about 2 seconds, he looks right at me and sucker punches me. Just laid me out on the platform.Some big dude who was standing close by drags me away from the guy as he starts screaming at me about ruining the best high if his life (yeah, whatever asshole) before running off.
Thing is, I used to be a junkie myself. I’ve been off that shit for 21 years now, but I still very much remember. I get it. I feel somewhat obligated, as a service, to do what I can to help when I can. Was that guy shitty and an asshole? Absolutely because I can. Am I glad I probably saved his life? You bet. Am I gonna keep doing this? Absolutely. Why? Because it makes the world a better place, and the benefit far out weighs the cost.
Addiction isn’t a “weakness“. It’s a legitimate illness, and this country vilifies it rather than treating it as the medical condition that it is. Obviously, money is the motivation here. Or, rather, I should say: profit.
The world could deal with more kindness. If I can put more kindness in the world without it really being that big of a deal for me? Why shouldn’t I?
Edit: spelling and grammar
My dude, as a random Internet stranger, let me just say that the world needs more people like yourself. Thank you for being you and contributing to the world what you do.
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I thought for a second I was a first responder, since I am the first person to respond to your post. I am a bit drunk and very sorry for my useless comment.
wrote last edited by [email protected]Ngl, this is the first definition of "first responder" that came to my mind as well.
Also a bit drunk for what it's worth.
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There's a patient that we would see a couple of days per month. They'd OD on heroin, we hit them with narcan and an electrolyte IV to hydrate. He'd eat something and leave. We would give him resources to get some help. Each time I'd get more and more angry.
6 months of this and I finally asked why he'd OD almost like clockwork. He said the good stuff sold fast and he'd only get enough for like 2 maybe 3 hits(?highs, fixes?) The guy's life was just waiting on his dealer to get it. He would figure out how to make enough cash to keep his withdrawals at bay while saving up to buy up as much as he could when the good stuff arrived.
The last time I saw him, day shift told me he came in, got hit with narcan twice, this was after EMTs had given him narcan as well. when he was steady enough, he left AMA(against medical advice). He came back 3 hrs later for another OD. Doctor came in and told him he's killing himself. this organ is damaged, this one has this, blah, blah, blah. He responded that he'd be fine if we would stop killing his high. I did the usual and he left sometime the next day.
We haven't seen him in 4 months. I guess he finally got to enjoy his high.
I didn't expect a happy ending, but I'm glad it sounds like he cleaned up and got his act together.
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My dude, as a random Internet stranger, let me just say that the world needs more people like yourself. Thank you for being you and contributing to the world what you do.
wrote last edited by [email protected](311 will also help obtaining naloxone kits)
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P.S. Mentioning COVID-19 is considered cheating in this thread (just kidding, fire away).
911 dispatch if we want to count it
Look, stress and adrenaline and all of that are a hell of a drug
Not to mention actual drugs
And people have all manner of mental health issues
And I get that
And obviously since I work the job I do, I can handle stress and crazy bullshit better than most, so my own standards are all kinds of skewed
And I really try not to hold that against my callers
But holy crap am I glad that there are usually miles between me and them because if they were right in front of me I might strangle some of them.
It's usually not even the real frequent flyer problem callers that get me. Don't get me wrong, they're obnoxious, but at least I know that 99 out of 100 times, there's no real emergency, and they are clearly not in their right minds so they really can't help it. They're almost an enjoyable distraction from all of the people who should know better and just won't not be an uncooperative belligerent asshole who refuses to listen to anything we say.
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P.S. Mentioning COVID-19 is considered cheating in this thread (just kidding, fire away).
wrote last edited by [email protected]Worked Fire and EMS all though college and still do some part time.
The people I will never ever understand are the ones that have multiple cats and do not clean up after them. I'm talking walking into a place and EVERYTHING smells like rotten cat piss.
Now its one thing if you're unable to care for them and I somewhat understand that (give them away to a good home!), but those who are able? Hate. They simply don't care enough about it to take care of their home or their animals and it shows what kind of person they are. I know its a bit off topic, but those are the ones I cant stand. Easily avoidable things are just part of humans being stupid. Only other one that makes me shake my head and feel no empathy for is drunk drivers hurting others. -
There's a patient that we would see a couple of days per month. They'd OD on heroin, we hit them with narcan and an electrolyte IV to hydrate. He'd eat something and leave. We would give him resources to get some help. Each time I'd get more and more angry.
6 months of this and I finally asked why he'd OD almost like clockwork. He said the good stuff sold fast and he'd only get enough for like 2 maybe 3 hits(?highs, fixes?) The guy's life was just waiting on his dealer to get it. He would figure out how to make enough cash to keep his withdrawals at bay while saving up to buy up as much as he could when the good stuff arrived.
The last time I saw him, day shift told me he came in, got hit with narcan twice, this was after EMTs had given him narcan as well. when he was steady enough, he left AMA(against medical advice). He came back 3 hrs later for another OD. Doctor came in and told him he's killing himself. this organ is damaged, this one has this, blah, blah, blah. He responded that he'd be fine if we would stop killing his high. I did the usual and he left sometime the next day.
We haven't seen him in 4 months. I guess he finally got to enjoy his high.
The last time I saw him, day shift told me he came in, got hit with narcan twice, this was after EMTs had given him narcan as well. when he was steady enough, he left AMA(against medical advice). He came back 3 hrs later for another OD. Doctor came in and told him he's killing himself. this organ is damaged, this one has this, blah, blah, blah. He responded that he'd be fine if we would stop killing his high.
Situations like this are what make me occasionally go “society should be able to 5150 people for addiction, to keep them locked up long enough to detox and get clean.” But I know that:
A) forced rehab wouldn’t actually work, and they’d just go right back to using as soon as they got out
B) It would likely result in higher OD rates after detox, because addicts would lose their tolerance and then go right back to whatever dosage they were using last time
C) it would likely be rife with abuse, with cops using to hold people without formally charging them.
D) it would deter people from seeking help, out of fear of being locked up instead. -
I didn't expect a happy ending, but I'm glad it sounds like he cleaned up and got his act together.
wrote last edited by [email protected]That's... not what they're implying. They're implying that he died, and that's why he's not coming in
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I didn't expect a happy ending, but I'm glad it sounds like he cleaned up and got his act together.
That’s not the message I took from the ending. I read it as “he likely ODed and was probably found dead in an alley two or three days later.”
