When I was first training to become a Community First Responder (CFR), my main worry was that I would not be able to handle a patient being physically sick. The first time I had to deal with such a situation (a drunk with a head injury), it was a great relief when the vomit did not bother me.
I think the reason I am not greatly affected is three fold: there is already enough to deal with; I tend to go into “CFR mode” during a call and all I really think about it what needs to be done; and to be honest it is a lot easier to deal with when you are not the one who will have to clean it up.
In fact, when that first drunk was sick, all that went through my mind was to make sure my kit was well clear of it.
Since then dealing with vomit is just part of the job and almost the most notable part of it, is having the thought “I should be affected by that, but I’m not”.
So my last two call outs have been unusual. The first was to a lady who was sick every few minutes. It was difficult to workout what was going on as answers to questions such as “Have you any long term illness” solicited the replay “I’ve got everything”. Fortunately the crew were with me very quickly and I could pass her over to them.
However, the thing that sticks in my mind is she was being sick into a bowl, and we have exactly the same bowl at home. The peelings for our compost go in it. Now every time I go into the kitchen I see the bowl and an image of the woman vomiting into it comes into my head. It’s quite disconcerting.
The second call-out was more serious. A lady in her nineties had been sick. When I got there all she seemed to be concerned about was the vomit over her bed. She was confused and I was able to reassure her that we could deal with that.
However, when I felt her pulse, I knew the vomit wasn’t the main worry. 12 beats in 15 seconds with the last 3 very irregular.
Time to get the Oxygen out. As I was getting that ready the ambulance arrived outside.
The paramedics used an ECG to see what was going on and there seemed to be good indications that the lady was having an MI.
So I’d picked up the underlying issue that needed immediate treatment in spite of having to deal with an unpleasant scene on arrival. I’d got oxygen on early and successfully helped the paramedics. So a very satisfying call-out for me.
And fortunately – no familiar kitchen equipment in sight.