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leroydb

Skydivers with Communicable Diseases

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Never assume and always use universal precautions. Period. Any response in an emergency other then that and you probably don't have enough training to do anything but get in the way of first responders who know what they are doing.



I have seen jumpers on the ground and people turning basic treament methods into "best idea" personal pissing contest to the point nothing was done to benifit the injured skydiver! [:/]

"Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance,
others mean and rueful of the western dream"

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What's not so important is I majored in pre-med and worked as an EMT at a Level I trauma center for three and a half years. What is important is I will not let my brother/sister land out alone. You may be the type of person that would (your choice) ...I'm not.



It's tough to compare how you with your experience might/should act compared to a lay responder in the same situation. For damn sure if you, with your level of experience, land next to someone that's been busted up you'll be able to do a heck of a lot more than your average lay responder.

I doubt you'll argue that getting advanced care there as soon as possible is the best possible scenario, right? In your case you are bringing some of that advanced care with you whereas the best bet for your average person who's taken a few years of CPR is probably to land somewhere they can be sure to be safe and get that advanced care on the way.



If I had no training/experience and saw someone in trouble/landing out ...I would follow them and land as close as I safely could. I almost always jump with my cellphone but even if not, I would trust other skydivers to call for help.

It's hard to accept that a skydiver (as opposed to a dizzy.com diver) would allow someone to land out alone. The only exception I can see is if someone believes they do not have the skills to safely land out, they should not try.
-----------------------
"O brave new world that has such people in it".

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Tell you what - I'd rather be alone with help on the way than have you sitting next to me holding my hand but unable to do anything to save my life and no one else on the way because no one else knows I need help.



Are there any legal implications or obligations, either way? If so, would you let that influence your decision?



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Tell you what - I'd rather be alone with help on the way than have you sitting next to me holding my hand but unable to do anything to save my life and no one else on the way because no one else knows I need help.



Are there any legal implications, either way? If so, would you let that influence your decision?



I think here in the US, you would be covered by the Good Samaritian laws if you did try to help on the site, and you would have a defensible argument if you didn't by claiming that you were going for equipment and further assistance. It's sad that we have to think about that, but unfortunately.... we do.

On the question of whether to land out or land safe and bring help, I think there are so very many variables in that situation. What was the incident and how injured do you think the other jumper is? How many jumps do you have and how many off landings? How do you deal with true emergencies? ("oh my god, oh my god, oh my god" won't be as helpful as support this and elevate that and keeping it cool.... and EVERYBODY thinks that they'll keep it cool) What true trauma knowledge do you have? What means to communicate with others do you have (do you carry a cell phone with you on jumps)

There are some that I would want to land off with me.... there are others that should get help. It's not a slight against anyone, it's an understanding of all the variables.

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STATS AS OF 7:30PM EASTERN ON 23 JUNE

DROPZONE.COM
Yes 30 / 47%
No 25 / 39%
Undecided 9 / 14%

BASEJUMPER.COM
YES 13 / 57%
NO 5 / 22%
UNCERTAIN 5 / 22%


EITHER POLL shows that more would want to know. What is interesting is the no to undecided stats between the two polls...
Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...

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HIV only survives outside of the body, exposed to the elements for approx. 45 seconds, TB is communicable but you have to be exposed for a while to recieve enough of the viral load to be infected. Its much harder out in the open as opposed to inside.

Right now, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the American Heart Association is the one who has recently updated the correct practice of CPR to no longer give breaths and to only give chest compressions. Like Broke said invest in a pocket mask for $5-$10, keep it in your car, gear, etc. That's what I do. If you don't have one I wouldn't recommend doing mouth to mouth. You only give it once before you carry around a mask. They beat that into your skull in Public Safety; Body Substance Isolation (gloves, etc), Scene safe, MOI/NOI, # of Pts, addition help. :) So, from a public safety view point, you only need worry about yourself before worrying about others. Its better to never expose yourself than catching something life threatening. But like I said, carry a little first aid kit with you; some gloves, mask, gauze 4x4 (sterile and unsterile) and ionized water and that'll pretty much cover anything you'll ever run into.
You know what's similar between Cops and Firefighters? They both wanna be firefighters.

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