| OCR Text |
Show iflge 4 " , '' Lakeside Ktniew, October 2, 19h0 " ' itV-'Jv- : ...!.. r ::' - PARAMEDIC Dennis Pettingill tests the paramedic trucks portable radio as partner Larry Green looks on. Davis County Residents Urged To Use Paramedic Services By NANCY LYNN KRZTON Staff Writer Davis LAYTON County want more people to use paramedics their services. They still dont know about us after three years, noted Corporal Larry Green, senior paramedic for northern There are just too Davis County. many people walking through these doors (Davis North Medical Center) in very serious condition who come by private automobile. Davis County created a paramedic department under the sheriffs department in 1977 to provide expert, free emergency medical care on the spot throughout the county. n A paramedic unit is on duty 24 hours a day in northern Davis County, with a second unit covering southern Davis County 24 hours a day out of Bountiful. Each unit patrols its half of the county awaiting an emergency medical call. two-ma- Weve been trained in just about every aspect of emergency procedures, including some minor explained procedures, surgical Green. Everything we do is under the direct supervision of a doctor. We are, in effect, an extension of the the eyes, ears, and emergency room hands of doctors in the field. Anyone who believes he has a medical emergency on his hands can summon the paramedics by dialing the universal emergency dispatch number in Davis County. The paramedic truck usually arrives in five minutes or less. The truck is not equipped to carry patients to the hospital, but an ambulance is dispatched with every emergency call to transport the victim if necessary. 776-306- The truck contains portable and fixed radios to communicate with emergency rooms in several counties and is equipped to send vital signs to the emergency rooms for study. The paramedics have a heart monitor and a defibrillator to check the heart and to restart it in in case of a heart attack. They also possess the equipment and training to start a person breathing or to breathe for him. Bandages and splints are available to handle cuts and bone breaks. The paramedics can administer about 30 f sr- different drugs, depending on tne emergency. When paramedics arrive at the scene of an emergency, they quickly evaluate the patients condition, explain it to a doctor by radio, and receive instructions on treatment. They do not move the patient until the doctor says his condition is stable enough for him to be taken to the hospital. If somebodys hurt in a major way, the best thing they can do is keep him quiet and call the paramedics, explained Dr. John Taylor, a physician who works at Davis Norths Emergency Room. He cautioned against individuals taking a person with a serious medical problem to the hospital by private vehicle, recalling an incident in which a diabetic who had been playing softball at Hill Air Force Base was brought to the hospital by friends after going into hypoglycemic shock. By the time he arrived, he was in full cardiac arrest, Taylor said. The paramedics would have given him an intravenous solution which would have waked him right up. He wouldnt have had the heart attack. the Davis County Ambulance Service, indicating that the average charge for an ambulance run is about $98. If the ambulance which arrives with the paramedics is not needed, the victim will not be charged for. the ambulance run, Green explained. The biggest problem is that people are afraid they will inconvenience us, said paramedic Dennis Pettingill. We want to be inconvenienced. We would rather respond and not be needed than not be called. not medical When handling emergencies, the paramedics, who are all sheriffs deputies, patrol the streets, issue citations, take complaints, and make arrests. About 70 percent of their time is spent on police matters, 30 percent on paramedic work. They say they would be happy to increase the percentage of time devoted to paramedical duties, but that its up to the public to call for help. As a result of the heart stoppage, the patient suffered serious brain damage and now has the mental ability of a Taylor said. Weve had people come walking in having a full heart attack who drove themselves here or had their wives drive, Taylor said, indicating that the failure to summon paramedics can mean the difference between life and death. 32-piec-e 2-ye- ar They can handle the situation without any question, no matter what it is, he said. Theyre versatile, very versatile. WARDROBER Taylor noted that the public is not as aware of the paramedic program as it should be. Theres no charge for paramedics coming out, he emphasized We only charge if the ambulance is needed. vested suit in Swedish polyester. 1 2 Jon Evan perma-presdress shirts, 16 ea nt Davis North Emergency Room Supervisor Deanna Hales noted, Usually, in an emergency situation, insurance will cover the ambulance and emergency room costs. Eighty-nin- e percent of the patients we transport have some type of insurance, said Reed Embley, head of 1 s - 35 . . ;192u 3 conservative ties in prints or solids, 7.50 ea 225 12 pr. durable orlon blend socks, 2 ea 2400 1 pr. comfort plus bU cushion sole shoes 42350 Total value This complete wardrobe now only Trust Castletons to offer you significant savings on a wardrobe. that can only be called an investment. The suit is a wearing Swedish knit polyester from Doncaster can depend on. The Jon Evan poly-cotto- in n dress shirts are Tough-wearin- g easy-to-care-f- perma-pres- you s crepe soles with a unique arch support that reduces your walking effort in every a name - a long or short sleeve. And the Freeman shoes are comfort plus! answer for ... hard- ... the ultimate comfort. The fine quality and durability item make this a wardrobe offer you t afford to refuse. Especially ideal for Missionary wear. Mens Shops all stores except Ogden Mens Shoes - all stores except Ogden PARAMEDICS Dennis Pettingill and Larry Green (right) can pare away twisted motor vehicle wreckage to reach a crash victim with special rescue equipment stored in the back of their paramedic truck. They also carry climbing gear and a mountain pack containing medicine and equipment in .case they must go on a search and rescue mission. . DOWNTOWN FOOTHILL VILLAGE OLYMPUS HILLS FASHION PLACE VALLEY FAIR UNIVERSITY MALL OGDEN LAYTON HILLS |
