"only one in 10 of non-SCDF ambulances has life-saving AEDs on
board".
2 reports to show how unregulated pte ambulances are... PAP dun
care about our welfare? Any standards to benchmark against?
Home > ST Forum > Story June 28, 2007
SPORTS AND SUDDEN DEATH- Triathlete should have been given
CPR
THE death of a healthy, young aspiring triathlete recently is truly
sad. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among
athletes worldwide. It is a well-documented phenomenon, not a
medical mystery.
Sudden cardiac arrest risks are unfortunately extremely difficult
to screen for, even with ECGs and chest X-rays. Thus medical
examination of young, fit athletes is unlikely to identify
individuals at risk.
In responding to the sudden collapse of the triathlete, several
issues arose:
The first responders at the scene described him as having a weak
pulse and therefore they did not begin car-diopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR). On arrival at hospital, medical professionals
described him as having no pulse.
A pulse check is known to be a very inaccurate way of ascertaining
circulation. CPR training teaches individuals to look for 'signs of
life' and this involves checking for breathing and movement. Lack
of breathing is indication enough to start CPR. In a state of
anxiety and panic, non-medical first responders often feel the
bounding pulse in their own fingers and attribute it to the
victim.
In the event of sudden collapse and an absence of medical
personnel, the initial response should not have been to bundle the
victim into a van and drive to hospital. A call to 995 should have
been made immediately. An emergency ambulance staffed by trained
paramedics and with a defibrillator would have been
dispatched.
First responders should have initiated CPR on-site while waiting
for the ambulance. When the paramedics arrive, they will deliver
life-saving shocks at the scene, if indicated.
Despite several officials on-site being trained in CPR, errors
occurred. The issue here thus becomes that of the competency of
these individuals to render medical first response.
The lack of an on-site automated defibrillator (AED) and
trained personnel to use it was an ill-fated oversight. To
cite budgetary concerns as a reason is truly regrettable.
Just having an ambulance at sports events may not be the solution
in itself. There are no regulations in Singapore governing the
equipping of private/standby ambulances. Sadly, [u]only one in 10 of non-SCDF
ambulances has life-saving AEDs on board[/u].
In summary, sports governing bodies must re-examine
guidelines on the provision of event medical coverage. Personnel
equipped, trained and competent in emergency medical first response
must be present.
Only then can we say this life lost was not in vain.
Dr Charles Johnson
Emergency Physician
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_133568.html
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Home > ST Forum > Online Story
June 30, 2007
Reckless behaviour by a non-emergency ambulance driver
I WAS driving along Yishun Ave 2 towards Yishun from Sembawang
before the junction of Yishun Ave 7 at 4.50pm on June 28 when a
non-emergency ambulance from Civic, with number plate SGC4580S,
drove recklessly behind me.
The ambulance was switching between lanes in a two-carriage lane
behind me. I did not switch lanes as I was not sure what the
driver's intentions were as his moves were too dangerous.
The ambulance then tailgated me for a while before switching lanes.
He then cut into my lane without signalling,
leaving me with no ample time to react.
The ambulance was so near me I had to brake very hard to prevent
a collision. The car behind me, too, braked very
hard and almost hit my rear.
The ambulance then proceeded to beat a red traffic
light.
It was a miracle that no accidents happened due to this senseless
driving by an inconsiderate driver who had no regard and respect
for both the law and other motorists.
I then called the Civic helpline and a woman replied that as
ambulance drivers attend to emergency calls, they have a right to
speed.
Firstly, Civic is a non-emergency ambulance, emergency cases are
attended to by SCDF ambulance, the only non-emergency ambulance
capable of handling an emergency is Hope Ambulance as its personnel
are AED- and ACLS-trained.
Secondly, even if it is an emergency, it does not warrant the
driver to drive at 140kmh. How do I know the
speed? I chased the driver to demand an explanation and apology for
his reckless ways and, to my shock, I was driving at 100kmh and the
ambulance was gaining speed all the way.
How can someone put the lives of a patient and his relatives at
risk by driving at such a speed on a road with a speed limit of
60kmh. And the audacity to switch lanes with no regard to the
safety of other motorists.
I have seen other non-emergency ambulances on the roads before and
the drivers do not behave in this manner.
A prompt reply was received from Civic's supervisor, a Mr Francis.
He apologised for the driver's reckless behaviour and promised that
he will look into the matter.
Even though I do not condone this type of road behaviour, I must
commend the prompt reply and understanding from Mr Francis.
Derrick Chew Kiang Ngee
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_134201.html