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There is a significant difference between
pulseless and cold and merely unresponsive. Unresponsive subjects have
pulse and respiration but do not respond to verbal or pain stimuli.
Unconscious persons always go the ER, as do choking victims (swelling of the
throat later), and near drowning victims (lung problems within hours due to fluid
buildup) . Treatment for lack of response is to
observe and monitor pulse and respiration while removing to safety and
eventually an ER that has proper capabilities. The treatment for an observed cardiac
incident is support, CPR if needed, AED, and Oxygen, pending the arrival of
ALS. Our protocol for unobserved death (no
pulse, body is “cold”) is to call the medical examiner, realizing
that it may take some effort to determine lack of pulse by palpation (fingers on artery) or
stethoscope. Other obvious signs are stiffness (rigor), dismemberment,
and lots of blood or no blood. In Beginning any kind of care under these
circumstances commits your resources until a declaration is made. In many
jurisdictions the Irv Lichtenstein From:
msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Karen Nesbitt |
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