Pancho Villa
08-09-2012, 16:13
Coming in from work today, I saw a lady collapsed on the ground in the parking lot with a man kneeling by her. I stopped the car and got out (left running, AC cranked - baby was in the back,) ended up calling 911 because the guy was busy making sure she stayed conscious and getting her into a position more conducive to breathing. I was able to help him out with guidance from the operator.
The paramedics came in within a few minutes. She was still breathing when they took her and they didn't seem to think it was a huge deal - they weren't in a rush to get her off to the hospital. Thankfully.
Couple thoughts:
1. As she was breathing and conscious (barely) the whole time, I did not need to do CPR. Knowing that I could was an incredible comfort, though, especially in the initial seconds when I stopped the vehicle and ran over asking if she was okay.
2. When I got out there was another person who managed to walk right by the fucking collapsed woman and man kneeling by her without noticing. I called her over and she helped a little too (mainly running down and waving at the firetruck/ambulance as they took the wrong entrance into the apartment complex, when I told her to.) One of the big things in carrying has always been situational awareness. It was really incredible to me that I noticed this driving by at 15mph but she walked right by without seeing.
So, I guess the lesson is: look around. You never know when you might help someone out. Also learn CPR, the class is super cheap and it was an intense comfort and helped me stay calm running over to a collapsed person.
The paramedics came in within a few minutes. She was still breathing when they took her and they didn't seem to think it was a huge deal - they weren't in a rush to get her off to the hospital. Thankfully.
Couple thoughts:
1. As she was breathing and conscious (barely) the whole time, I did not need to do CPR. Knowing that I could was an incredible comfort, though, especially in the initial seconds when I stopped the vehicle and ran over asking if she was okay.
2. When I got out there was another person who managed to walk right by the fucking collapsed woman and man kneeling by her without noticing. I called her over and she helped a little too (mainly running down and waving at the firetruck/ambulance as they took the wrong entrance into the apartment complex, when I told her to.) One of the big things in carrying has always been situational awareness. It was really incredible to me that I noticed this driving by at 15mph but she walked right by without seeing.
So, I guess the lesson is: look around. You never know when you might help someone out. Also learn CPR, the class is super cheap and it was an intense comfort and helped me stay calm running over to a collapsed person.