Friend overdosed next to me...

[zanejohnson]

been there before...

heroine is nuts, the purity varies with each batch, he probably did his normal dose, but it was some extra potent stuff and it was just too much....

glad im not on the needle anymore....

 

[BoomerD]

Since the thread was about drugs, I wondered how long it would take zanejohnson to show up...

 

[SmoochyTX]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Since the thread was about drugs, I wondered how long it would take zanejohnson to show up...

:laugh: :thumbsup:

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: Beev
You saved his life. You are one of the real heroes left in this world.

 

[LordMaul]

Originally posted by: MrPickins
Your friend was going to shoot up and still expect to act normal during your lunch together?

Had to be a cry for help.

You'd be surprised. Especially any heroin user that's been on it for any amount of time, sometimes you HAVE to use to "act normal" at all. Without it, one might be in extreme pain, sniffing constantly, have watery eyes, yawn, have no appetite, etc. so using before going into a social situation could have been warranted. However, using a LOT usually isn't necessary, but potency variances were most likely the reason for the other night (as zainjohnson so brilliantly pointed out ).

As a bit of an update, I've talked to him since the accident and he is recovering well. Apparently he had not been using constantly as of recent, and after this incident he has not used either (nor been on any sort of medical treatment), though has gone to a psychiatrist. He's been spending most of his time sleeping at home, as could be expected. I've been keeping contact with him constantly and making sure he has any support he needs when possible, and he seems to be doing well.

If anything more of interest comes up, I'll post it.

 

[MyThirdEye]

Way to handle the situation. You're one of the few people people left with morals.

 

[JoeyM]

Good for you saving a life. Heroin overdosage suppresses the respiratory drive so you probably didn't need to do chest compressions. Mouth to mouth was enough. I suppose I would be a little hesitant to give mouth to mouth to an IV drug user. Your friend really owes you big time!

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
good job.

at least your friend knew which friend to contact. seems like a pre-meditated OD, and he's lucky to have you as a friend.

If I had a friend that did that shit, he wouldn't be a friend afterwards. If he "got clean" great, but having one last hit, is signs of stupidity and shows that he is not clean and won't change. I have no time in my life for people like that.

Kudo's to the OP for saving his life though.

 

[judasmachine]

wow. good job man.

 

[Q]

Wow that would be freaky, props to you

 

[grohl]

Wow, I have an equally long story about doing CPR on someone in college that gave me flashbacks. It's thrilling/scary/troubling and I'm glad you helped him out, props to you!

 

[daveymark]

Just a note for those of you that haven't taken CPR class:

just because you havent' taken CPR, doesn't mean you can't administer it! DON'T be a fraid to ask the 911 operator, or anyone else, how to do it - if you don't know how to do it, and there's no one aroud, STILL try give it your best shot.

 

[LordMaul]

Originally posted by: grohl
Wow, I have an equally long story about doing CPR on someone in college that gave me flashbacks. It's thrilling/scary/troubling and I'm glad you helped him out, props to you!

Please post it, I'd be glad to read it.

 

[CraKaJaX]

:thumbsup: for you
:thumbsdown: for heroin

 

[theprodigalrebel]

That's awesome (what you did)! You're the man, LordMaul. :beer:
I should learn CPR too. I know it (in theory) but I guess what really matters is doing it right in times of need.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
That's awesome (what you did)! You're the man, LordMaul. :beer:
I should learn CPR too. I know it (in theory) but I guess what really matters is doing it right in times of need.

yea, I briefly learned it in a class in high school, but what sucks is when i was trying, even after tilting the head, I couldn't get the damned chest the rise from the air. Don't know if it was the dummy, or something I was doing wrong. Felt like air was moving but I don't know.

Regardless, yea I'd definitely say if you are in a situation that requires it, and nobody is around, try it no matter what. The worst that can happen from trying CPR is nothing happens, but if nobody is around, then the person wouldn't be receiving any help at all period. So an attempt at help is better than nothing, and there is a chance you'll still get the air into the chest anyhow.

as far as the breathing-less method being taught now, how is air moved into the chest then? The compressions would only slowly push air out, right? Or do they somehow pull a little air in?

and OP, the whole thing about people walking by and not helping.. do you think they could see someone was in distress, or do you think they just saw something that was a little strange and decided they wanted no part? humanity disgusts me quite a lot these days. While most people like to imagine they'd help someone and say they would, they are often the people who don't want to be bothered and keep walking. I guarantee I'd stop and at least call out and ask if help is needed, as long as I could tell there was someone in distress. Not always obvious to a passerby who isn't even paying attention though.

 

[Joemonkey]

i feel most sorry for the people in this thread that don't truly understand addiction... its easy to sit in your computer chair and say "why can't he just quit it?" but i'm sure there are plenty of people here that either know addiction first hand, know a loved one addicted to some sort of controlled substance, have helped someone get through it, et al. It isn't as easy to quit as most would think, it isn't just a "mind over matter" issue.

 

[alfa147x]

and i thought i didnt need to learn CPR

 

[JoeKing]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
That's awesome (what you did)! You're the man, LordMaul. :beer:
I should learn CPR too. I know it (in theory) but I guess what really matters is doing it right in times of need.

yea, I briefly learned it in a class in high school, but what sucks is when i was trying, even after tilting the head, I couldn't get the damned chest the rise from the air. Don't know if it was the dummy, or something I was doing wrong. Felt like air was moving but I don't know.

Regardless, yea I'd definitely say if you are in a situation that requires it, and nobody is around, try it no matter what. The worst that can happen from trying CPR is nothing happens, but if nobody is around, then the person wouldn't be receiving any help at all period. So an attempt at help is better than nothing, and there is a chance you'll still get the air into the chest anyhow.

as far as the breathing-less method being taught now, how is air moved into the chest then? The compressions would only slowly push air out, right? Or do they somehow pull a little air in?

and OP, the whole thing about people walking by and not helping.. do you think they could see someone was in distress, or do you think they just saw something that was a little strange and decided they wanted no part? humanity disgusts me quite a lot these days. While most people like to imagine they'd help someone and say they would, they are often the people who don't want to be bothered and keep walking. I guarantee I'd stop and at least call out and ask if help is needed, as long as I could tell there was someone in distress. Not always obvious to a passerby who isn't even paying attention though.

what you want to do in this situation is unless the victim is a young child or infant is to find someway to call 911 and get an AED. While CPR is better than nothing, what you really want on the scene is a trained professional with all their fancy drugs and a doc in a box, an AED.

Basically here are the steps you should take when administering CPR, this is just to give you an idea of what must be done, if you are at all interested in learning CPR American Heart Association Heartsaver classes are available in almost any city for a reasonable price.
Click here to find classes near you

1) Scene is safe (for your own and the victims safety)
2) Check if victim is responsive
3) Have someone call 911 and get an AED
4) Check for breathing by putting ear to mouth
5) No breathing give two breaths
6) Then 30 compressions (hands between the nipples push hard enough to go 2inch into chest) followed by 2 breaths.
7) Continue the 30:2 until help arrives or an AED arrives
8) If an AED arrives it is your legal responsibility to follow it's instructions precisely.

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: JoeKing

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
That's awesome (what you did)! You're the man, LordMaul. :beer:
I should learn CPR too. I know it (in theory) but I guess what really matters is doing it right in times of need.

yea, I briefly learned it in a class in high school, but what sucks is when i was trying, even after tilting the head, I couldn't get the damned chest the rise from the air. Don't know if it was the dummy, or something I was doing wrong. Felt like air was moving but I don't know.

Regardless, yea I'd definitely say if you are in a situation that requires it, and nobody is around, try it no matter what. The worst that can happen from trying CPR is nothing happens, but if nobody is around, then the person wouldn't be receiving any help at all period. So an attempt at help is better than nothing, and there is a chance you'll still get the air into the chest anyhow.

as far as the breathing-less method being taught now, how is air moved into the chest then? The compressions would only slowly push air out, right? Or do they somehow pull a little air in?

and OP, the whole thing about people walking by and not helping.. do you think they could see someone was in distress, or do you think they just saw something that was a little strange and decided they wanted no part? humanity disgusts me quite a lot these days. While most people like to imagine they'd help someone and say they would, they are often the people who don't want to be bothered and keep walking. I guarantee I'd stop and at least call out and ask if help is needed, as long as I could tell there was someone in distress. Not always obvious to a passerby who isn't even paying attention though.

what you want to do in this situation is unless the victim is a young child or infant is to find someway to call 911 and get an AED. While CPR is better than nothing, what you really want on the scene is a trained professional with all their fancy drugs and a doc in a box, an AED.

Basically here are the steps you should take when administering CPR, this is just to give you an idea of what must be done, if you are at all interested in learning CPR American Heart Association Heartsaver classes are available in almost any city for a reasonable price.
Click here to find classes near you

1) Scene is safe (for your own and the victims safety)
2) Check if victim is responsive
3) Have someone call 911 and get an AED
4) Check for breathing by putting ear to mouth
5) No breathing give two breaths
6) Then 30 compressions (hands between the nipples push hard enough to go 2inch into chest) followed by 2 breaths.
7) Continue the 30:2 until help arrives or an AED arrives
8) If an AED arrives it is your legal responsibility to follow it's instructions precisely.

Good post....

I did about 20 minutes of solid chest compressions tonight on a patient but to no success he died in the ER...Afterwards I was covered in sweat and kinda dejected.

But on that note EVERYONE should know how to do proper CPR and how to activate the emergency response system.

But otherwise, strong work OP for doing what you did. I'm sure your friend appreciates it and I hope he can get some rehab for that addiction of his.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: LordMaul

Originally posted by: NuroMancer
I totally agree. I was driving my GF home about 2 weeks ago when a car about 75 feet infront of us nailed a pedestrian. After getting out and dealing with the situation, I realized that my cpr and first aid is so out of date, I went and schedualed a renewal course.

I do have a question tho, I was at a dive shop last week and noticed they have a contraption that your supposed to use when breathing into their lungs, it appears to only allow air/liquids etc one way? Anyone know about these?

I've seen those, usually kept by people who work around conditions where performing CPR is more likely than your average job (e.g., athletic trainers). I doubt buying one would be useful unless you carried it with you 24/7, which I guess only you can decide whether or not it's worth it.

Either way you can still get the job done, the mouthpiece only seems to make it less 'risky' (largely in that you don't have to kiss anyone, especially if it's also a dude like in my case. You'll be terrified as you realize, after the adrenaline starts wearing off, that the slime dripping off your mouth isn't sweat, and it isn't from you ).

NuroMancer what you saw is called a resuscitation mask. (normally just called a face mask or air mask).

I am a American Red Cross Certified Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor, and Lifeguard Instructor. I have been a lifeguard for 8 years and I carry a spare mask in my glove compartment so I don't ever have to do "mouth to mouth." It also has gloves in it so I hopefully don't have to come in contact with any blood. The air mask's 1 way valve means none of the injured person's air gets in to my mouth and the gloves help me stay away from any bloodborne pathogens.

It's cheap and if you know CPR it's a great thing to have in case you ever need to do CPR.

At first glance I thought this was going to be a zanejohnson thread.

OP: 10 minutes of CPR is TOUGH, good thing it wasn't much longer that adrenaline only takes you so far before your so exhausted you can't go on.

Props to you for saving his life, hopefully he won't continue to waste it.

 

[Old Hippie]

Nice Job! :thumbsup:

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: JoeKing

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
That's awesome (what you did)! You're the man, LordMaul. :beer:
I should learn CPR too. I know it (in theory) but I guess what really matters is doing it right in times of need.

yea, I briefly learned it in a class in high school, but what sucks is when i was trying, even after tilting the head, I couldn't get the damned chest the rise from the air. Don't know if it was the dummy, or something I was doing wrong. Felt like air was moving but I don't know.

Regardless, yea I'd definitely say if you are in a situation that requires it, and nobody is around, try it no matter what. The worst that can happen from trying CPR is nothing happens, but if nobody is around, then the person wouldn't be receiving any help at all period. So an attempt at help is better than nothing, and there is a chance you'll still get the air into the chest anyhow.

as far as the breathing-less method being taught now, how is air moved into the chest then? The compressions would only slowly push air out, right? Or do they somehow pull a little air in?

and OP, the whole thing about people walking by and not helping.. do you think they could see someone was in distress, or do you think they just saw something that was a little strange and decided they wanted no part? humanity disgusts me quite a lot these days. While most people like to imagine they'd help someone and say they would, they are often the people who don't want to be bothered and keep walking. I guarantee I'd stop and at least call out and ask if help is needed, as long as I could tell there was someone in distress. Not always obvious to a passerby who isn't even paying attention though.

what you want to do in this situation is unless the victim is a young child or infant is to find someway to call 911 and get an AED. While CPR is better than nothing, what you really want on the scene is a trained professional with all their fancy drugs and a doc in a box, an AED.

Basically here are the steps you should take when administering CPR, this is just to give you an idea of what must be done, if you are at all interested in learning CPR American Heart Association Heartsaver classes are available in almost any city for a reasonable price.
Click here to find classes near you

1) Scene is safe (for your own and the victims safety)
2) Check if victim is responsive
3) Have someone call 911 and get an AED
4) Check for breathing by putting ear to mouth
5) No breathing give two breaths
6) Then 30 compressions (hands between the nipples push hard enough to go 2inch into chest) followed by 2 breaths.
7) Continue the 30:2 until help arrives or an AED arrives
8) If an AED arrives it is your legal responsibility to follow it's instructions precisely.

good info. Yea my first thought, would be if I were alone and no one was around, I'd call 911, put it on speakerphone, and check for breathing and whatnot while it rings. I'd probably pop those first breaths in right away and do the compressions while I'm on the phone, as well as inform them that I was doing said compressions so they could guide me and make sure I'm doing it correctly while I await emergency personnel.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

DeathBUA, destrektor & JoeKing: thanks for your posts. Very helpful indeed. :thumbsup:

(ATOT <- I love this place)

 

[maxster]

Hahah stupid cops. You know you can just remain silent right? It's not like they have anything on you.