z k n . l i f e: Watch Your Step

We've all heard lights and sirens before - sometimes they pass our homes or while we are out driving. Sometimes, they might even be coming to our own aide. Based on the perceived severity of the call, lights and sirens are used to alert and warn others that there is an emergency somewhere that needs a prompt response and is priority over their needs at the moment. A common term for that type of response is called "Code 3". While I know all of our curiosity is pinpointed on where and what the emergency response is all about, have you ever considered what is going through those responders minds during this time?

Flipping perspectives to that of an EMT/Paramedic, there are a lot of factors that are running through their heads while responding to a Code 3 call.

Before departing, you must first be confident that you have all the supplies necessary to care for your patient(s).
Second, while you need to respond with promptness and urgency, you must make sure to not create another accident by trying to get there fast.
And then thirdly, while approaching the scene, you must scan the environment and survey the scene for dangers that could prevent you from helping or turn you into another victim.

Depending on the nature of the call, there are many signs that you must look for. The list of "what if's" and "maybe that's" goes on forever and ever. There are times when you can never know exactly what you are getting yourself into but on many scenes, there are some tell-tale signs that would let you know that the scene is unsafe to enter at the moment and is best if you wait for extra hands. For example, downed power lines, fires, chemical symbols on a truck that was involved in a wreck, bottles of alcohol or drugs, etc. clues you into what you are up against. When you heed those warnings, you keep yourself safe and often prevent yourself from becoming a victim. The last thing that you need to do is to become a part of the problem rather then a part of the solution.

While the needs of the patient(s) are clear and helping them is why you are there, it is just as needful that you be aware of your surroundings and not get yourself into danger while trying to help. This applies to us physically as well as spiritually. There are many things in this life that can bring us into temptations hands, even when we are trying to help. Greed, anger, lust, pornography, immorality, hurtful words, drug abuse, and a lack of love for your fellow man damages us spiritually. When we find ourselves in these sort of scenes, often it is because we have not made ourselves aware of our environment and the things that could harm us. King Benjamin, a Book of Mormon prophet, counsels us on the importance of continually being aware of things that could harm us.

"I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them. But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not ^awatch yourselves, and your ^bthoughts, and your ^cwords, and your deeds and observe the commandments of God, and ^dcontinue in the faith . . . of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish" (Mosiah 4:29-30)

The placement of the ambulance, proceeding to the patient, and then getting on to the care of that patient must be done cautiously by the emergency provider as he ensures the safety of the scene. Not doing so could, as we have already mentioned, make the situation worse. Another example, one maybe a little more applicable to all of us, comes in the realm of the home as you watch this video entitled, "Watch Your Step". It deals with a man who comes upon pornography while surfing the Internet. As we reach this point in the video, it then splits into two different scenarios. One is where the husband and father removes himself from the temptation and leaves it alone. The other is where he does exactly the opposite and we see the consequences.

As you watch, you will be able to point out the man that was not aware of his surroundings, harmed himself, and created multiple victims due to not surveying the scene and heeding the warnings signs.