harpist's Blog

Hi,

This is my first blog and given that it is on GodTube I should probably address a Christian issue. Actually, I am a Messianic Christian but I'll talk about that later. I truly believe, I know, that churches across the USA and around the world are naive to the fact that a medical emergency, trauma, violent outbreak, suicide, or other disaster could happen within its walls, on church property or at a church event. Most churches have bare bones first aid kits and the people, especially the pastors have little training. I was in a church the other day and needed a first aid kit - it was on the wall in a back pack and when I pulled it down to tend to a 6 in X 8 in major road rash abrasion, I was appalled to find some small bandaids and a bottle of water and some gauze. Most first aid kits contain comfort items - tweezers, bandaids, aspirin, wound ointment and small roller gauze and pads. What REALLY needs to go into the kits are the big LIFE SAVING ITEMS: blood soaking dressings, splints, slings, one-way breathing masks, lots of water for irrigating, trauma scissors, eye patches, tape, etc. Also, aspirin - not for cramps, or a headache or joint pain people should carry that for themselves - aspirin is life-saving in the event of a heart attack. So is an AED - an automated external defibrillator. I have defibrillated people with bad heart rhythms hundreds of times and I am a witness that it works and resets the heart back to sustaining life.

So, please don't think I am negative or have a chip on my shoulder - I just am worried that people aren't prepared. If I were the John the Baptist of emergency response I would say "Prepare for the big stuff!" People will get over the little cuts, scrapes, aches and pains. Be prepared for the major life threatening emergencies. Answer the questions below:

do you have a playground? Falls are #1 source of injury accounting for fractures and head trauma.
would you know what to do with a knocked out tooth?
Do you minister to the homeless? Most have health problems and many have addictions. How would you respond to a full body seizure?
Do you minister to teens? Another source of substance abuse and even violence resulting in traumatic injury. This group is at high risk for suicide.
Do you have child bearing age women at your church? Some of the most horrendous and life threatening bleeding can be @%#%l - miscarriage, pregnancy complications, etc. Would you how to care for a woman in hemorrhagic shock until the ambulance arrived?
Would you know how to treat a bullet wound if a gunman opened fire during one of your events?
Do you have infants in the nursery? Milk aspiration and seizures from high fever occur often in this group.
Do you have senior people at your services? Maybe even a senior pastor. Most people over 65 take more than 7 medications for at least 4 different diseases. Do you know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke? Do you know CPR? How to use an AED?

Bottom line - take a quality First Aid course and a CPR class. They are worth the money and time spent in training. And.......get a first aid kit for every building and every vehicle and make sure people know where they are located, how to use them and how to call and give an onsite report to EMS.

Last word - PRAY - while you are tending to an ill or injured person pray for the mind of Christ and for miraculous healing while administering appropriate care as a good Samaritan.

You read this for a reason - yo may be next up to make a difference.

Shalom,
Cindy Tait, EMT-P, RN

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