MRI Hazards - What happens when you turn on this big magnet?

Ever get hurt and have to go through a MRI exam? You hear all the clunking and things moving around with loud clicks forcing one to have to wear headphones to protect your hearing during the exam process. But are there any hazards for firefighters when confronted with an incident that involves one of these units? Here's a clue... they are basically really BIG MAGNETS!

Exhibit A / Chairs:

Exhibit B / Floor Buffers:

b>Exhibit C / IV Poles:

Exhibit D / Compressed Gas Oxygen Cylinder:

Exhibit E / Compressed Gas Acetylene Cylinder:

An excellent discussion on this that was posted on Firehouse should be read. Click here.

Remember to think out of the box!

TCSS,
Mike

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on February 11, 2009 at 9:19pm

asorry for the delay- they're stainless steel cylinders and brass fittings, I beleive...

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Permalink Reply by coronahawk on February 11, 2009 at 10:39pm

We don't have MRI machines in our District, but it is good to know in case a mobile unit passes through. Thanks for the info.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on February 12, 2009 at 12:54am

Mike,

What happens if a member of Metallica needs a MRI scan? :-)

Ben

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Permalink Reply by Fire Chick on February 12, 2009 at 12:54am

they def. dont do that... i have had them.. the aint bad... but i have also seen them when ppl forgot to switch the bed and ppl were "sucked in""

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on February 12, 2009 at 12:55am

PET scans use a radioactive sugar-based contrast media that the patient recieved via IV immediately prior to the scan.

The contrast media is usually kept in shielded containers in a room adjacent to the scanner until needed.

In the U.S., PET contrast media is normally delivered on the day of the scan by a courier service.
MVA's involving the courier may be a hazmat incient.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Vito on February 12, 2009 at 4:41am

or a convict guy full of tatoos....

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on February 12, 2009 at 5:06am

I wonder how I'd go? :-)

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on February 12, 2009 at 5:12am

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on February 12, 2009 at 6:40am

I'm pretty sure THAT would leave a mark.
LMAO

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Permalink Reply by Michael Vito on February 12, 2009 at 8:57pm

Good thing the Mythbusters have covered that area. I was wondering that too Ted.

I got this idea from a episode in House M.D. when a convict had to undergo MRI scan. He screamed a lot during that process. Anyway, I couldn't believe if does happen in real life because maybe just a Hollywood cinematic stuff. So I posted the tattoo thing here in this thread if it is true.....

MRI Hazards - What happens when you turn on this big magnet?

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