My first time calling 911 today...

[johnjohn320]

Went for lunch at Subway. Was sitting at a table eating my sandwich, looked over just in time to see a guy in line pass out and hit the floor...hard. Head bounced off the tile floor, made a horrible sound like a bowling ball hitting concrete. Another customer and I ran over to him, he was unconscious but breathing. Got out my cell and called 911 while kneeling next to him. While talking to the 911 operator, the blood pouring out of the back of his head made itself apparent, making a big puddle on the floor around his skull. He woke up and stared at me, but didn't respond when I talked to him, then his eyes rolled back and he was out again. Listening to the operator, the other customer and I moved his head just enough to get a towel against the back of his head, applying constant pressure. Then he woke up again, and this time started talking. He absolutely insisted that we let him get up, which 911 told me "don't let him." He was actually being rather difficult and agitated with us, kept forcing himself up into a sitting position no matter what we did, blood continuing to gush out and soak the towels.

Eventually paramedics showed up and took over. He gave them a hard time too, refusing to go with them, insisting he was just going to go home, still fading in and out of consciousness. Who knows if he's delirious from the head injury or just a dick (only kidding). Eventually they inform him he has no choice but to go with them and off they took him. They never said a word to us other than to ask "what happened" and then they were gone.

So that was my lunch! How was yours?

In all seriousness, today was the first time in my life I've ever dialed 911, and I'm grateful for the super quick, professional response. I know that seems like a given, but today helped me not to take our emergency response system in this country for granted. Cheers to the folks in that industry!

 

[BlitzPuppet]

Yuck, hope the guy ends up being alright.

Diabetic blackout? Locked the knees? What was the cause?

 

[AMD64Blondie]

Wow,that's scary..

 

[mikeford]

The moment you dial the second 1 of 911, they and the paramedics are "in charge". Sounds like it did work out well.

Sound of a head hitting concrete isn't one you will forget.

Did you finish lunch?

 

[Six]

I blacked out like that once and smashed on face onto concrete. (Looked like the Walking Dead for a week.) Luckily I saw the red-out coming and partially held onto a railing.

I can tell you the guy wasn't being a dick, even though he may acted like one. I know when I came out of it, every normal sound was loud. Had three people yelling at me. Thought I had just awoken from my bed at home. Had a throbbing pain from eye socket to jaw. Felt warm water running down my cheek and mouth. Could the horror on everyone's face as they walked by.

An off duty EMT was there right away checking me out and asking questions. I said I was ok and tried to stand up, but two other guys held me down as the EMT said "don't let him get up." I remembered being thirsty as hell....dried mouth and all, but the EMT told everyone not to give me water. I knew exactly why they were doing what they were doing, since I have known two people who passed away on seemingly harmless falls. Luckily for me, it looked more serious than it was.

But wow, I am amazed at the sheer kindness in strangers.

 

[johnjohn320]

Yuck, hope the guy ends up being alright.

Diabetic blackout? Locked the knees? What was the cause?

That I don't know. I heard a paramedic say "his blood sugar is normal" so I guess not the diabetic blackout. The paramedics were explaining to him all of the possible causes, of which there were many. I suppose I'll never learn what happened.

Did you finish lunch?

That I did not. Somehow lost my appetite washing all the blood off my hands and arms.

I blacked out like that once and smashed on face onto concrete. (Looked like the Walking Dead for a week.) Luckily I saw the red-out coming and partially held onto a railing.

I can tell you the guy wasn't being a dick, even though he may acted like one. I know when I came out of it, every normal sound was loud. Had three people yelling at me. Thought I had just awoken from my bed at home. Had a throbbing pain from eye socket to jaw. Felt warm water running down my cheek and mouth. Could the horror on everyone's face as they walked by.

An off duty EMT was there right away checking me out and asking questions. I said I was ok and tried to stand up, but two other guys held me down as the EMT said "don't let him get up." I remembered being thirsty as hell....dried mouth and all, but the EMT told everyone not to give me water. I knew exactly why they were doing what they were doing, since I have known two people who passed away on seemingly harmless falls. Luckily for me, it looked more serious than it was.

But wow, I am amazed at the sheer kindness in strangers.

Wow, I'm glad you're ok! I agree about the confusion setting in (the "dick" comment was just a bad joke on my part) and how much that could affect someone's actions when they're in that state. When I was a kid, I took a blow to the noggin and was knocked out; I remember coming to and not having any clue what the hell was going on or why so many people were standing over me shouting.

 

[Raizinman]

People dial 911 every day, every minute, every second. Are you looking for a medal?

 

[Ruptga]

People dial 911 every day, every minute, every second. Are you looking for a medal?

People crap in threads every day, every minute, every second. You're not special either.

I called 911 for the first time a week or two ago. I was on my way back from work, on some podunk two-lane highway in a part of the state where nothing interesting ever happens, when I realized the guy 100m ahead of me was completely drunk. I had been wondering about them but I got definitive proof when they went off the road completely, and again a little later when they got in the left lane for no reason and stayed there, while going over a large hill, for half a mile. It took a little while but a trooper did get to us and pulled them over. I have no idea what happened after that, but after seeing their driving I doubt the conversation with the trooper went very well at all.

 

[JEDIYoda]

People dial 911 every day, every minute, every second. Are you looking for a medal?

There is always a thread crapper in the bunch.....

It did not sound like he was looking for anything other than telling his story.........

 

[johnjohn320]

People dial 911 every day, every minute, every second. Are you looking for a medal?

Totally-a medal would be lovely, and thank you!

Nah, just sharing an experience of mine I'd never had until today, in an "Off-Topic" forum. Sorry to upset you, Mr. Grumpy-Pants.

 

[Six]

Wow, I'm glad you're ok! I agree about the confusion setting in (the "dick" comment was just a bad joke on my part)

Opps....wasn't directing anything at you. Was just trying to add more info. That's all.

 

[Sixguns]

First time I called was when I saw some dude get knocked out on the side of the road buy some thugs. He went face down, didn't move, and I could see blood already pooling under his face. I was stuck at the light when I called and when I had a chance to turn around a few blocks away there was already people there working on him.

 

[marvdmartian]

Well done, johnjohn. :thumbsup: It never ceases to amaze me, how the sheeple will just sit there and watch someone bleed out, completely oblivious to the most basic of first aid actions, and/or too squeamish to bother trying.

 

[allisolm]

Have only called 911 once. Was driving on a 2 lane road and came over a crest to see a man walking down the center yellow line. I couldn't imagine anything good coming from that so I called. Have no idea what the outcome was, but at least I didn't read anything in the paper the next day about a pedestrian getting smooshed, which was the scenario I had envisioned at first.

:thumbsup: to johnjohn320 for helping, :thumbsdown: to Raizinman.

 

[Wyndru]

Yikes you had that guy's blood all over you . Get yourself screened asap. Blood is scary stuff with all the BBP's. Always assume the worst and avoid it as much as possible. Hep is no joke, it can permanently mess up your liver and you would never even know you had it.

I forgot what the stats were from the last training I was at for work, but it's something scary like 1 in 10 people that carry it (A, B and C combined but I think even C is up to around 3% of the population, making it more deadly than HIV). It's highly advised that you don't touch blood unless you absolutely have to, and if you do be sure to get checked.

 

[Sonikku]

Ambulances ain't cheap these days. Nor are hospital visits.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Some years ago my buddy was bicycle racer and was hit by a car on a training ride. He went over the hood of the car and hit his head on the pavement as he rolled. He physically fought the paramedics who arrived and had to be strapped into the gurney. Turned out he fractured his skull and had to have emergency brain surgery to relieve swelling and some bleeding. So, I understand the fighting thing - I think it's just human nature. Maybe even more understandable when one has just been injured and is fighting to stay alive.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Ambulances ain't cheap these days. Nor are hospital visits.

Around here there's at least one private ambulance service that parks downtown on weekend nights. I saw a drunk kid one night stumble on the sidewalk and fall on his face. Bloodied him pretty good, and there was an ambulance there in less than two minutes (go figure). He argued like hell not to be taken away in that ambulance, but to no avail.

 

[SheHateMe]

Dear Diabetics,

Please wear your bracelets. Also, if your sugar is low and you are in line for food, please tell the people in front of you about your situation and maybe they will let you go in front. If they are being cunts, go up front and ask to see a manger to see if you can get served first. If not, grab a apple juice or a soda from the fridge and ask if you can buy that atleast and then leave and go eat somewhere else.


Sincerely,

A Diabetic

 

[Ichinisan]

Have only called 911 once. Was driving on a 2 lane road and came over a crest to see a man walking down the center yellow line. I couldn't imagine anything good coming from that so I called. Have no idea what the outcome was, but at least I didn't read anything in the paper the next day about a pedestrian getting smooshed, which was the scenario I had envisioned at first.

:thumbsup: to johnjohn320 for helping, :thumbsdown: to Raizinman.

I wonder if the guy in the road was mentally ill or off his meds? I know of a few cases where people wandered around in dangerous places (sometimes naked) when they stopped taking their psych meds.

 

[Orignal Earl]

You the man OP
Everything you did deserves a :thumbsup:

 

[allisolm]

I wonder if the guy in the road was mentally ill or off his meds? I know of a few cases where people wandered around in dangerous places (sometimes naked) when they stopped taking their psych meds.

Dunno but it was a 55 mph road. A disaster waiting to happen.

 

[dartworth]

Thank you for just not walking away or ignoring the situation.

 

[squarecut1]

Johnjohn, thank you for your act of kindness to a stranger

Ruptga, thank you too. You may have saved someone's life.

 

[Puppies04]

Ambulances ain't cheap these days. Nor are hospital visits.

Depends where you live, I call them out all the time then when they get here i'm like "psych" .