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Permalink Reply by Scott on January 12, 2009 at 4:47pm

haha thanks Kali and I did read a few of those but i was wondering about more speific stories and the projects almost done thanks though

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Permalink Reply by Adam Box on January 12, 2009 at 5:07pm

Just had one last night. guy coming home from working at the local bar. crossed the double yellow into oncoming traffic, he flipped his van but was generally uninjured. the woman in the corolla she hit had a broken leg and broken fingers among other things. we ended up cutting up both cars to get them out. I've got the news story and photos (just of the cars, not of the victims) send me a message if you want them for your project.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on January 12, 2009 at 9:58pm

Some general thoughts:

A vehicle crash in the overnight hours involves a drunk, most of the time. Show me a night crash and I'll show you a well-lubricated driver.

Drunks seem to escape serious injury in crashes, however their passengers usually aren't so lucky. I recall at least 2 crashes I've been to where the passenger of a drunk driver was killed on impact, while the driver walked away. The theory we've proposed is that drunks are so relaxed they don't tense up at the moment of impact. I don't think I want to test that theory out.

Theoretically we need to display a professional attitude at all times when on the job; this includes being civil to drunks in the back of the ambulance. However, I have reached the point where I have a low tolerance for inebriated drivers, particularly if it's a 2 AM call and I've just left my house and a warm cozy bed to find some jerk or jerkette pretending everything is cool. I have found that a few sharp words in the manner of a Dutch uncle establishes an appropriate rapport; sometimes a little more effort is required to make them understand that they're either going in the ambulance to the hospital, or in the police car (with bracelets) to jail.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on January 12, 2009 at 10:03pm

That message brought to you by Kali the goddess of sarcasm.

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Permalink Reply by Glenn.D.C_15 on January 13, 2009 at 2:49pm

We don't do rescue at my department, but we have been toned out for fire suppresion support for the rescue squad for a couple of MVA's. The one I remember, the driver was nice and juiced and ran into the back of a semi, stopped at a stop light, with a full load of oil, luckily, there was no damage to the tanker. The driver was in a half ton truck, demolished the front end of his truck. Chief gets on scene, figures the guy is done, but to his surprise the driver was all chatty, trying to be everyone's friend. So they cut the guy out and I think he only ended up with a broken leg (if that), from the dash being pushed back.

It would only be my opinion that you treat every patient the same, drunk or sober, because in the end the are still human beings and we have a service to provide to them. We do our jobs, and let the courts figure out the legal stuff.

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Permalink Reply by Scott on January 13, 2009 at 5:03pm

Thanks for everyones replys so far all have been helpful

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Permalink Reply by T.J. on January 14, 2009 at 11:46am

Check this story out, this department is about 2 hours south of me and just happened last week.

http://www.9and10news.com/category/story/?id=147588

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Permalink Reply by Scott on January 14, 2009 at 3:06pm

Im shocked and angered seriously if he was drunk he put many at risk by driving i hope its delt with accordingly

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