A real life incident during a MEDIC FIRST AID class gives students an opportunity to witness the act of giving assistance
Timothy J. Toutant
Concentra Medical Centers
Macomb, Michigan
During this particular class at Capuchin Soup Kitchen which feeds the poor and hungry, an actual emergency took place.
After returning from lunch to start the afternoon portion of MFA, someone mentioned there was an emergency in the parking lot and needed assistance; the call to 911 had already been made.
Without hesitation, I proceeded to the parking lot, gloves on, as the rest of the class followed. At the parking lot, there was a female sitting up against the building hyperventilating. I attempted to calm her down and told her to take deep breaths. I took charge of the scene and asked one of the students to direct the ambulance when it came.
A bystander mentioned the patient said that she was diabetic so I had one of the students go get a cup of juice. At that point, the patient said, "Don't hurt my baby" and now realized she was pregnant.
Now things started to happen really fast, as she wouldn't slow her breathing and emergency oxygen was not available. She started to slip in and out of consciousness, however the pulse was good and strong. I was able to get her to take 3 swallows of juice before she went into seizure. I maintained control of her so that she would not become injured. The ambulance arrived after about 15 minutes. I gave the EMTs the vital information then they put her in the ambulance.
I don't know what the final outcome was, but I was glad I was there as a CPR/First Aid Instructor for MEDIC FIRST AID. My training as an instructor by my supervisor Thomas Publiski made it possible for me to respond in a real life emergency. Also, the assistance given by my students was very helpful as they saw first hand how the MEDIC FIRST AID system works.
Timothy J. Toutant
Consulting Services Training Specialist
