Rendering Aid

rn/writer, RN · Aug 2, 2010

It was good of you to be concerned.

I do have some questions, though. Who was the person who took the "crowd control" position. Was is a hospital security guard or an off-duty cop, perhaps? Or was it another bystander like you.

What is your background?

I see no mention of c-spine precautions, and that makes me wonder about your level of training. If you do have any kind of medical background (nursing, EMT, etc.) and you want to help out at an accident scene, you're probably going to have to identify yourself and your skills to anyone who wants to get in your way. And they should do the same for you.

In this instance, you could have asked the crowd control person what training/authority they had and you could have offered your own information to them.

If you don't have any medical/emergency training, you certainly don't need to kick yourself over this incident. It's too easy to do the wrong thing, even with the best of intentions.

If you do have medical background and could have provided a properly trained initial response, the only thing you might have done differently would be to identify yourself and the skills you're bringing to the situation.

Thanks for caring about the person in the accident.

billythekid · Aug 2, 2010

These situations can be difficult to handle properly, especially when another person is involved doing 'crowd control' as you mention. If the lady really seemed to need help (semi-conscious), then I would assist. An appropriate comment to the person that 'pulled you away' could have been 'Take your hands off me' and 'I am trained to help people in situations like this.' Most of the time, the other person will back down. If they don't then you have to decide how 'involved' in this situation you want to become. Take comfort in the fact that there is no truly correct way to handle the situation you were presented with.

Also consider, Unless the victim is 1. in cardiac arrest, 2. actively vomiting (turn to side to prevent aspiration), or 3. actively bleeding out, there is little definitive care you can render with no equipment. At best you will conduct a neuro check with a few A&O questions, assess pulse rate and quality, assess breathing... again, unless the patient is unconscious and requires CPR, the medics are going to do their own assessment and treat based upon that anyway.

The moral: You had the right intentions, but things didn't work out as smoothly as you envisioned... so don't be discouraged from offering your assistance the next time someone needs help because the situation might be different and you could be the difference for that person. :)

There was an incident a few weeks ago in the community that I'm living in. A lady was hit by a car while crossing through a parking lot. I pulled over to help out and got no information from anyone whatsoever. The person who assumed the "crowd control" position started to pull me back. I wanted to make sure the patient had a pulse and was breathing while waiting for the ambulance (she had both, but was only semi-conscious). I told her that it was okay and that I would stay with the lady to monitor what I could, but she persisted in pulling me away, making me freeze on the spot. A few seconds later, the medics arrived and attended to the injured lady, and I went into the bookstore I was heading into. I can't help but kicking myself for not asserting myself more and taking control of the situation. Anybody have any kind words or advice to help me stop kicking myself?

kidd22 · Aug 3, 2010

The person playing "crowd control" was just another gawker at the scene backing people up. At no point did she state that she was security or any kind of officer. I told her that it was okay and that I was a nurse, whether she heard or not is a different story. There was another person at the woman's head, while I was noting that her airway was patent and she had adequate respirations and a strong regular pulse. Because of how loud the crowd was (yelling/fighting between the driver of the vehicle and the crowd), I was unable to hear anything from the woman. The medics arrived to the woman as I was getting pulled away.

I hope this anger I have at myself resolves soon enough. Initially, I felt like I should've just decked the woman and focused on what I was doing and taken control of the situation instead of being soft-spoken. True, that the lack of any equipment would've made any interventional technique impossible. However, I know that I would like to have someone with me, reassuring me if I am ever in that position.

This makes me feel less of a nurse, like I should've fought hard to get my way and help this woman. I think this situation might impact my confidence as far as nursing goes. Although billythekid is right, there was not much to do until the equipment and personnel got there, I still feel like a heel :crying2: .

kidd22 · Aug 3, 2010

What else could I have done? Are there others out there that are soft-spoken or unassertive? How did you get through it?

mustlovepoodles, RN · Aug 3, 2010

I hope this anger I have at myself resolves soon enough. Initially, I felt like I should've just decked the woman and focused on what I was doing and taken control of the situation instead of being soft-spoken. True, that the lack of any equipment would've made any interventional technique impossible. However, I know that I would like to have someone with me, reassuring me if I am ever in that position.
This makes me feel less of a nurse, like I should've fought hard to get my way and help this woman. I think this situation might impact my confidence as far as nursing goes. Although billythekid is right, there was not much to do until the equipment and personnel got there, I still feel like a heel .

I don't think you have any reason to be angry with yourself. You attempted to render aid, and indeed, did make a decent assessment, given the circumstances. It sounds like it was a very chaotic situation with emotions high. Had you bowed up at this person, you could have very well been the one getting decked. The first rule of rescue is don't endanger yourself. Put on your oxygen mask first. I think you did what your could and should be commended for stepping up. Just because it didn't turn out the way you imagined it would doesn't mean you did anything wrong. Ease up.

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Aug 3, 2010

I was in a similar situation in June, during a bike festival. A woman fell off her bike while going down a hill. She wasn't wearing a helmet, and looked hurt. A few people were on the scene, mostly to direct traffic. A medical volunteer was on the scene, but I don't know if they were a doctor, EMT, medic, or just someone who knew first aid. I stopped, said I was a nurse, and asked if they needed help. No one said a word, so I left.

Zookeeper3 · Aug 3, 2010

If there was someone there whom knew enough to monitor the airway and pulse, I would have shouted out an offer to help, if it was refused... off I go my merry way. (assuming I chose to get involved at all).

Now if there was no one there and you wanted to help and didn't I could see the second guessing it. Crowd controll IS important because thats when a group looses it's collective cool. One or two level heads is often best. I always believe there simply is a reason why things play out.