The EMS News network is sadly reporting the deaths of two Paramedics in British Columbia, Canada.
As reported in the Vancouver Sun: “two paramedics -- Kim Weitzel, 35, and Shawn Currier, 21 responded for some type of mine accident - When a mining contractor mysteriously disappeared at Teck Cominco's Sullivan mine, a second man was sent to look for him.”
He found the contractor's body.
The man led two other rescuers to the body.
All three died.
Early unconfirmed reports indicate the possibility of an oxygen deficient atmosphere and exposure to hydrogen sulfide contributing to the deaths of the contractor and the Paramedics.
Know your district, know your limitations.
EMS personnel typically do not have respiratory protection to enter an immediately dangerous to life/health (IDLH) atmosphere. The best, and in many cases only protection, for EMS personnel is to have situational awareness and understand the potential hazards of any given response area. Complacency kills.
EMS has a vital role in rescue operations. EMS services that are not associated with fire/rescue services may respond to find situations to be different than reported. Failing to recognize the hazards and taking appropriate self-protective measures can be devastating. When arriving to find a previously unreported hazard, the EMS crew first on scene can provide vital information and should call for appropriate response.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those in B.C. Canada.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.