Dave, who died recently, was taken to the Emergency Department having collapsed in a supermarket. He had a cell phone on his person and, as good fortune would have it, his lunch date phoned to see why he was late… The ER nurse answered the phone and the lunch date came running, and with her came the information needed to treat him appropriately.
Now. What about if you or I were to be taken off to the ER department in a state of major disrepair. Maybe we are unconscious. Who is our next of kin? Who can make decisions on our behalf? Does this person have any medical allergies? And…just who is this person? There are just a few major pieces of information ER nurses need to know and need to know fast. We can help them, and ourselves, by carrying the information on our person. There is the on-line ICE (In Case of Emergency) service however Ed of Impacted Nurse suggests, urges, people to make themselves a low-tech ‘ICE’ ID card.
It only takes a short time to make up these things and believe me, this low-tech ICEcard is much more likely to be of use to us. Such a small thing, it can make a big difference to the quality and appropriateness of the care you will get.
Today I’ve been preparing to be the temporary priest in charge here at the Berkeley Buddhist Priory. This is earthquake country. One needs to be prepared. So it was with some relief that I read about the 19 Commonly Held Myths about Disasters. Maybe an earthquake does not mean instant death after all. And yes, the house has been retro fitted to withstand earthquakes.
Thanks to Ed, once again, for the information.
There is a Buddhist saying: Hope for the best, Prepare for the worst and do the possible.
Anticipatory fear can cause one to become paralyzed into inaction however being prepared can dissolve that fear.
I just had time to read the past few blogs and the idea of emergencies and preparedness and help is really in my mind at the moment. Two weeks ago I was riding home from work on my bike, enjoying the weather and as I was going along, a man opened his car door right when I was there. The handlebrs of my bike and my hands and arms went through the car window and the BANG and shattering of the glass was unbelievable. I wasn’t able to react at all, I was just there with the shock. Amazingly, a woman across the street going home from work on her bike immediately came over. She was a nurse. She asked me if I was OK and I said yes. She then took me to the sidewalk and said I don’t think so and then I saw that I had blood all over me. Another “amazingly” she had bandages in her bag and began to treat my wounds and treat me for shock as well as helping the driver of the car. She also called the police on her mobile phone and stayed with us. The man who had opened his door, a brand new black Porsche, was also kind and kept telling me how sorry he was that I was hurt. The police came and were also filled with concern and care. At a time when I could not react , those around me were doing exactly what needed to be done. This was a blessing and I’m very grateful. Sadly, I didn’t get the woman’s name and it was not on the police report. So, I would like to, if I may offer this as thanks to her. Thankfully, I had no broken bones and everything has healed very quickly. Even my bike was ok! One thing, if you anyone contacts someone connected to someone hurt…PLEASE let them know the full story. My partner was only told that I had been hit by a car and was in the emergency room! They forgot to say that I was conscious and not seriously injured! I think Marc suffered more than I did! So, I just wanted to express my thanks for the help that comes when we aren’t able to take care of ourselves!