History and Trauma

Wow... what a day... and my tour isn't even over yet. I am emotionally and physically drained but need to get this stuff down before I forget it. That, and my little squirt and I are spending the day together tomorrow and I'll never get it written. First, the good stuff.

Ya know how sometimes you are a part of a moment in time when you just know that you're witnessing a little bit of history? Well today, two of our department's finest have decided to retire. 30+ years they have served the citizens of this area. It just amazes me. I'm so far on the other side of the mountain I can't even fathom it. But these 2 great guys, 2 awesome leaders in our field, 2 excellent senior guys who love the job, who have that bone-deep passion for the job... are leaving. And I'm happy that they get to start a new chapter in their lives.... but also so sad that I've missed out on learning and laughing with these two. One is a moderate acquaintance in another territory and the other is a dear friend who I admire and trust very much. This place just won't be the same without them.

And now the crappy part. We just got back to the house after running an entrapment call. Crazy still how the dispatch rarely matches the scene. Usually it's a "all hell is breaking lose" dispatch, matched with a trash can fire. Well this was a fender bender dispatch, matched with a full entrapment, patient's losing consciousness, multiple (and I MEAN multiple) system trauma, compound fractures, etc.

We were on scene within 3 minutes of dispatch. Our patient had approx 7" from the edge of the steering wheel/dashboard and windshield and the back of the seat. Extrication was extensive and there was miscommunication between the bird I requested and our command. We arrived at the landing site only to find out they were another 14min out and going to land another 3-4 miles in the opposite direction of the ER.... when where we were at had a perfectly set-up LZ. Oh well. It ended up being conducive to just get on the highway and transport ourselves. We did everything we were trained to do, but unfortunately our patient did not make it.

But why is it always the post-adrenaline, post transfer of patient, de-con, re-stock, and paperwork that makes it so exhausting? I'm heading to bed. I'm exhausted.

*** Follow-up *** We found out a couple of shifts later that the original helicopter we requested for our patient had a bird strike while approaching the LZ and had to divert to an immediate drop-down. Just a shout-out to the flight medics, nurses and pilots who have an incredibly dangerous job to save others' lives.