Extrication on a priority 3 patient.

Last night we responded to a 2 vehicle t-bone accident with 1 patient trapped. I was first on scene with my pov and decided that we'd have to pop the driver side door off to get this patient out. I had the spreaders in my hand when I noticed the patien was not covered up with a blanket. I asked one of our FF to go and get one. My captain tells me we dont need one (the glass is already broken) I told him that we're not popping this door tell she's covered up. I know sometimes you dont have time to spare and you need to get the person out NOW. She had no life threating injuries and I wanted to make sure that she was covered. I've always been tought to cover the patient up. Was I in the wrong for telling my captain no in this case? He was not bad with me at all, he just thought I was wasting time. What would you have done?

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Permalink Reply by Jason McDonald on April 29, 2009 at 10:14pm

He probably means backboard or spine board. or use an extrication device like Kendrick (KED).

You made the right move, cover the patient but do so as quick and safe as possible.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on April 29, 2009 at 10:27pm

There is a device called a "Halfback" that is made by Life Support Products (LSP).
It is a combination of a half-spine immobilization device and a rescue harness that can be used for vertical lifting.

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Permalink Reply by T.J. on May 3, 2009 at 7:34am

Gotcha, thanks Ben

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Efaw on May 13, 2009 at 12:14am

I am the rescue tech for our dept and i can say from experience that even if its a rapid extrication you still need to minimize the exposure to further harm.... i mean isnt that common sense

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Permalink Reply by Dewayne and Diana Bean on June 24, 2009 at 11:29pm

Never thought of this thinks for the excellent tip!

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on June 25, 2009 at 12:24am

Drew,

I didn't see this for quite a while, but wanted to clear something up.

I think we should NEVER use a device in an attempt to keep a SRS air bag from deploying. These devices inherently force an accidentally-deployed air bag to deploy in a manner different than the one the engineers designed. That sounds like a universally bad idea to me.

The hard and soft shielding to which I refer is designed to go between the tools and the patients to protect the patients from tool slips, projectiles that may break off the car, and from broken glass and other sharp debris.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Kemp on June 25, 2009 at 3:45am

I would've covered the patient, although Captains give the orders, they're only human. They make just as many mistakes as the rest of us. Great way to Stand up for you, and your patients. We all need a time to shine, and T.J. yours was then. Good job and continue the great work, Stay safe Brother, and God Bless All

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Permalink Reply by Mark Klaene on August 2, 2009 at 1:26pm

so I'll ask the question -- What were you accomplishing by covering her with a blanket? What hazards were you protecting her from ?

Would a blanket protect her from flying loose piece of metal during popping the door ?

I believe in protecting the patient , not just covering them .

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Permalink Reply by Holly on August 3, 2009 at 2:04am

I would have covered the patient. You were loosing nothing by doing so and it probably made the patient feel a little better to be covered up.

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Permalink Reply by Jared Lelaidier on August 3, 2009 at 10:51pm

You were in the right if its not a rapid extrication than you should use what you have been taught, I would consider it good patient care.

Good job
Jared