I came across a person in distress at an amusment park...

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So I was at an amusement park recently and I was climbing through a huge tree house (similar to Swiss family Robinson) and I came across a scene where a person was in distress. An employee was already there and on the phone with 911. There were no medical professionals there yet and I wasn't sure what I could do but I knew I couldn't leave. The person was obese and according to family hadn't drank much water all day. Also was having chest pain and SOB. It was also 80 degrees outside. I spoke with the person and held their hand until the paramedics arrived. I encouraged the person to take a few small drinks of water and helped with positioning them, but I feel like I should have done more. I'm just not sure what else I could have done. This is the first time I have come across someone in distress outside of my job. How have you dealt with these situations?

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

There wasn't really anything more you could have done, she needed an EKG and some fluid. Sips are fine unless vomiting. Moist cloth on forehead for heat is about all I can think of.

What you did do, was be available in case she collapsed and needed CPR. That's as much as most of us can do in the field, EMS are the ones with the equipment. You did fine :)

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Specializes in Pedi.

What do you feel like you should have done? The person didn't need CPR. You don't have supplies to start an IV and give a fluid bolus in an amusement park (nor do you have orders to do so). You did fine.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Given the fact that you had nothing available to you, I'd say you did just fine! Do some information gathering in case he turns for the worse. Ask the OPQRST pain and SAMPLE questions. If this guy became unconscious, it becomes a LOT more difficult to get info from the family because they're not feeling his pain or experiencing his shortness of breath, nor do they know which one came first. Things like that. On the other hand, because you were there, you provided a reassuring presence and could start administering CPR if it came to it. Given my own limitations, you did exactly the same things I would have done.

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You do not have to identify yourself as a nurse. In fact I would not. You can be a concerned bystander who is there to offer comfort and initiate CPR if it comes to that. If there is family who is knowledgeable about the patient's history, they can answer most of the questions when EMS gets there in 4 minutes. No need to have them keep repeating themselves with questions which will be asked over and over and to an "off duty" person. You might ask them to have his ID, prescription list and of course insurance card ready for EMS.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

You did fine...keep them cool and quiet and wait for help. A few conversational small talk questions in case they have LOC but other than that you were perfect.

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Thanks everyone!

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Specializes in Med Surg.

ABCs. They're talking and moving, they are breathing and pumping blood.

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I'm not a nurse, but as a member of the general public, I want to THANK YOU for getting involved.

I have a dear friend who has MS. She's never has any trouble walking. Recently she was in a restaurant, and she went to the restroom. When she stood up from the toilet, her legs collapsed and she ended up on the floor in the restroom. She was unable to stand and unable to reach the door of the stall to unlock it. Someone came in the restroom, so she asked them to get her help. They returned a few minutes later with the restaurant manager and a nurse. The nurse helped her into a chair in the restroom, and asked her about her medical history. Then she put cool cloths on her neck and her wrists and just talked with her. Eventually my friend was able to walk to her car with the nurse's assistance while her husband brought the car up to the door.

My friend said that the nurse's calm, confident, caring deamenor helped her tremendously. You probably provided the same "medicine" to this person.

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I'm not a nurse but as a member of the general public, I want to THANK YOU for getting involved. I have a dear friend who has MS. She's never has any trouble walking. Recently she was in a restaurant, and she went to the restroom. When she stood up from the toilet, her legs collapsed and she ended up on the floor in the restroom. She was unable to stand and unable to reach the door of the stall to unlock it. Someone came in the restroom, so she asked them to get her help. They returned a few minutes later with the restaurant manager and a nurse. The nurse helped her into a chair in the restroom, and asked her about her medical history. Then she put cool cloths on her neck and her wrists and just talked with her. Eventually my friend was able to walk to her car with the nurse's assistance while her husband brought the car up to the door. My friend said that the nurse's calm, confident, caring deamenor helped her tremendously. You probably provided the same "medicine" to this person.[/quote']

Thanks :-)

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