"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
I worked as a paramedic for 14 years. We had to restrain many patients, you get drunks, you get meth heads, psychos, and you get nutcakes with an attitude who will slap a medic or an ER nurse and I have seen it happen. You get 'em all in EMS work.
I had to restrain many patients, we had big leather handcuffs and we could strap their wrists to the side of the stretcher.
Charged with first degree murder. Damn. First of all you see the racial component, obviously the EMTs did not go out there with the idea of murdering a patient. That takes first degree murder right off the table. Take out the racial component this wouldn't even qualify as second degree murder. Manslaughter at worst, and even then the DA would have a thin case.
Yes, if you restrain a patient, on their back, they can inhale their own vomit and this is a very bad thing. Normally you want to keep the patient on their side.
Wow, first degree murder does sound extreme. I wonder how they arrived at that. Negligence, probably, depending on their training or lack of training. Sometimes EMS probably just wants to get the heck out of the neighborhood ASAP. Not sure if that was the case here.
I might have missed it, but were they paid EMS or volunteers? Seems like a perfect way to tank any volunteer department's recruiting efforts.
Dont know about other states, but in La. if you are attempting to help someone, you are covered by the 'Good Samaritan' law.
Dont know the situation in this case, but if they were afraid the patient might vomit or if their were injuries that prevented the patient from being on their back, placing them on their stomach would be acceptable. However, placing the straps too tight is not acceptable.
Old Turd- Deplorable- Unrepentant Murderer- Domestic Violent Extremist
When a black druggie overdoses you better not be anywhere near them and white. Fentanyl Floyed strikes again.
Yep. 🤪
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
This crew simply screwed the pooch and if they don’t have local protocols or atleast company policies supporting their actions they are SOL.
Positional asphyxia is a real thing and it only gets worse with hyperventilation or excited delirium.
Restraining any patient face down has been forbidden on a national level for probably 20 years. Mechanical 4 point soft restraints, 3 seatbelts with shoulder straps used correctly and no one is getting loose.
If the situation calls for it some chemical sedation and maybe a spit sock but never face down!
Background: 25 year career EMT and state licensed ems instructor and evaluator.
