[Smokey9283]

Originally Posted by Strawberrykool

If you breath through your mouth then it seems like your tasting the nastyness. Learn to hold your breath

I personally would rather smell it than taste it, but I suppose there are those who better to taste than waste it.

[CT Pixie]

Originally Posted by futurelpn09

Do that actually works?

Works for me. Although I've become acustom to most smells, not many both me anymore.

I learned the Vicks under the nose trick when i was a newbie EMT. The paramedic I rode with tossed me a little container of Vicks on the way to a call one night. I had no idea why he did it, I though, do I sound congested or like I have a cold? I said, I don't need this but thanks. He laughed and said "Love, when we get to this call you are going to need MORE than just Vicks" The call was for "unknown medical" meaning nothing more specific was given by the caller for the ambulance. (the medic had a bit more info that the police had given him, but all I knew was unknown medical)

We walked in and the police coming out of the apartment looked as though they were going to vomit, several were gagging. The pile of newspapers at the apartment door was a clue...obviously someone in that apartment had died a few days ago (from the pile of papers I'd have to guess at least a week). I took all that in BEFORE the stench hit me full force! I grabbed that Vicks, clogged up both nostrils with it (it is supposed to go under your nose..not in it LOL) grabbed a mask, took a deep breath and held it as I went in.

It was not a pretty site or smell, body was decomposing, bodily fluids leaking onto the floor, it was the dead of summer and we had been having 90+ temps for about 4 of the 7 or so days the person died.

I made it though that call. Didn't take a whole lot of time since obviously the person was dead. Paramedic made a dead on scene call and off we went.

If I can make it though that call with just vicks and a mask, I can make it though pretty much anything with just vicks Yeah I'd have to say, it works, at least for me

[MzGurl]

That's wazup smokey you should write stories, yours was awsome. Thanks for caring and sharing.

[MzGurl]

That's wazup CT pixie you should write stories, yours was awsome. Thanks for caring and sharing.

[Suesquatch]

Originally Posted by I love my cat!

Many Nurses seem to get very angry with those that admit that they do not enjoy the sight or smell of fecal matter.

I have never seen that. We do, however, get annoyed at someone asking how they can be a nurse if they refuse to touch any of the aforementioned stuff.

[simmonsmandars]

I carry a small bottle of essential oil in my pocket. I usually use peppermint or spearmint. I just small amount under my nose works wonders. It helps for the smell of just about anything. I use it for the bad wound smells too... that is my weakness...lol

[softstorms]

HALL'S cough drop's LOL. I used to teach CNA classes for a local college. Hold one in your mouth, the menthol smell is so strong it seems to help keep the "other" smell out. Good Luck

[lookingbeyond]

I am laughing out loud, because i can sooo relate to trach care! Any sputum. In fact, I vomitted in a room as a CNA one time. It was embarrassing since the family was all there!

[KevinL83]

vicks under the nose works. dont worry about the gagging part. nursing school will desensitize you from all of the icky stuff. if not all then most of it. anyway best of luck to you.

[ink10300]

Originally Posted by houstoncprinstructor

I have found it helpful to breathe through your mouth.

yuck. That makes me gag thinking about it!