Call of the Quarter

    It was almost midnight on April 21^st, and everyone was sound asleep.  The day had been a busy one for the crew, with a code that morning.  “Rescue 3, respond, possible heart attack, Jellystone campground, site 33”.  EMT-B Havens and EMT-E Wilcox commented on the way to the call, “2 codes in one day?  Not in Glasgow!”  Upon Unit 34’s arrival, the wife came out to meet the crew.  “He was real sweaty, and now he won’t talk to me.” The crew entered the camper and found a 65 y/o male unresponsive on his bed—no pulse and no respirations.  EMT-B Havens went back to the unit to retrieve a backboard, and to call for additional manpower through both Rescue 3 and Co. 2 FD for assistance getting the patient out of the tiny room.  The small double bed left only about 7 in. of space on any side, and the patient was not a short man.  Upon attachment of the AED, one shock was advised and delivered.  Afterwards, there was no shock advised.  EMT-E Wilcox secured an airway, and CPR was started immediately after the “no shock advised”.  Within two minutes of being requested, Co. 2 members were on scene to assist with removing the patient from the tiny camper as well as EMT-E Flint and EMT-I Hickman.  As the members were able to get the patient into the waiting ambulance, EMT-E Ellington had a line ready and waiting just as EMT-P Watts arrived.  He found the patient in asystole.  Pacing was unsuccessful.  CPR was continued, and EMT-P Watts established an external jugular IV.  The patient went into ventricular fibrillation, and EMT-P Watts shocked him 3 times, only to find the patient again in asystole.  While the crew was unable to revive the patient, the situation had all the components for the “ideal” situation.  An AED was used within moments of patient collapse, and CPR started within moments.  Medic assistance was established without any wait time for transport.  While Co. 2 FD does not usually do medical assist or first responder calls, they were very quickly on scene to assist.