Tell victom or not?

cowboydoc · Oct 17, 2001

Richard,
I agree with the sentiments here and the fact that in no way should you second guess yourself! You did what you felt was right in the situation and handled it with courage and a very level head. What I would have done as a healthcare professional or anyone else in no way reflects what you should have done. That is why we have good samaritan laws. You did fine, you did a good thing and you should be proud of yourself and not second guessing what you could've or should've done. You're a good man for what you did and that's all the advice anyone should be giving you.

Richard · Oct 17, 2001

Thanks all for the support.

I'm not so much second guessing myself what I did because I did what I felt was "right". That said, my curiosity was more along the lines of how much information do you give the injured. That has been addressed.

I guess I was more surprised that the Wife second guessed what I did from the confines of the house rather than being closer to the fire and having to simply react to the situation.

Tidbit..
Mother is an OR nurse (operating room), next door neighbor as I grew up was family physician. I grew up not necessarily in the medical field so to say, but I grew up with some of it's influences and I think that is why I not only was very calm, but had a clue about him staying still. THAT said, I was still very out of my element & expertise.

I've certainly seen number of photos of accidents, but this is my first, "first hand" one. The contrast of the frailty AND the strength of the human body is simply amazing to me.

Richard

Anonymous Poster · Oct 17, 2001

Ya done good. You may have saved this guys foot or his leg. Good for you and him. The father could offer no help in this situation so he should be kept immobilzed in order to keep his injuries to a minimum. Now if the car was on fire maybe this could have gone down a little different.

MarkV · Oct 17, 2001

Richard,

Are you OK? I don’t see how you could have done anything better than you did. The fact that you remained calm and did all you could to help says volumes about you as an individual. I was once in a similar situation and understand how unprepared and inadequate a person can feel when faced with such a traumatic event. You have my vote for TBN’s good guy of the week.

MarkV

StanInCalif · Oct 17, 2001

Richard, I think the reason God gave us deeper voices was so that we will be better able to command in situations such as this. You and the Kid did good.

stan

Richard · Oct 18, 2001

I phoned hospital today to check on their recent guest.
I spoke to the lady (nurse possibly) that worked on that floor. I was informed that the father is in "guarded" (which she said is "good") condition. We didn't speak about the son as I already presume he is catagorically better condition than the father.

I'm glad to know he is alive and carrying onward to some degree (though degree remains unknown). Father is 53 and son is 12.

She wouldn't tell me if the foot was saved or not. /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif

Richard

TerryinMD · Oct 18, 2001

Richard,

Why don't you visit the man? I bet that he would be more than glad to see you and would really appreciate your concern and thoughfullness.

Terry

Edited by TerryinMD on 10/18/01 02:50 PM (server time).

Richard · Oct 18, 2001

I've considered that and was/am unsure if it woudn't be "tacky" for lack of better word. "I" woudn't mind if I were him, but you never know about people. Also, I would suspect with the general trauma, the probable surgery he has had (or is having) I highly doubt he will remember anything.

I DID leave my name/number today with lady so she could pass on to family who at that time, weren't there. I was hoping on telling them I put the Sons glasses in the back of the vehicle. I picked them up off ground since they were intact with minor bend. I'm not sure though if the family would want, or should, see the vehicle to retrieve them.

Richard

mikim · Oct 18, 2001

IMHO -- from past experience as an ambulance driver/EMT trainee -- leave well enuff alone -- you did good - now get past it and get on down the road. The feelings you have that you coulda/shoulda done more - that it's a job not yet finished - will & should pass - if you let 'em.
mfk

TerryinMD · Oct 18, 2001

Hmm... Richard with your apprehension in your last post and that of mikim, maybe it would be best to move on.

You left your name and number. It is now up to them to contact you.

Consider this, you did all that you could at the accident scene and called to check on their condition. You left a name and number. Your concern is real and is known to them. Let them make the next move. Feel gratified that you did all that you could do and went a little more.

The world would be a much better place if there were more people like you. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Take care,
Terry