Some perspective on the nature of this disaster and the enormity of the task

[nadinbrzezinski]

for the rescuers from insert nation here.

As a medic trained in this shit I responded to a few construction oopses and a few other incidents. One in particular stands in my memory as a good example to give you an idea.

The mountain fell on this small home, cinder block mostly stacked on top of each other, mostly collapsing it. We had a survivor, in a void. She was a fifteen year old girl. So we first had to reinforce one side of the structure with wood to try to prevent tons of earth from coming in. Then we started the careful job of removing the jigsaw puzzle, at times with hand tools, at times with hands, at times using cutting gear, one wrong move, the whole thing would fall on us. After three hours of long, sweaty and miserable work where you are breathing the dust, and comforting the patient, we managed to penetrate the void.

We had a girl to take out but her right leg, under the knee, was under tons of debris. So we had no choice but to amputate on the scene. We gave her, under disaster protocols, something for the pain but far from anesthesia and under guidance from a doctor on the radio, yes we did amputate that leg using a rescue saw.

Now we got her out by hour four... imagine this all over Port Au Prince. Also realize I had a functioning trauma center to take her to, after we loaded her on the ambulance. Right now they are just now getting some of those facilities. Oh and the team that did this was eight of us, taking turns.

So this is the other reason why this takes so long.

Oh and the patients, if they are lucky they are in a void, a pocket, and not hurt. But it is the darkest, most nausea inducing, fear inducing, darkness you will ever be able to experience. We went into it willingly...some said we were nuts... but the patients did not. And yes I'd say that there was and still is a touch of insanity in my head.

:-)

So every time I see them pull out a "live one" I am cheering them... and I hope this slight look into the job gives you an idea what they are doing.

[slackmaster]

1. I meant to hit Recommend and fat-fingered Unrec, sorry

Mea culpa.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. No problem

[Parker CA]

3. Fixed that right up.

[slackmaster]

4. Thank you!

:cheers:

[asjr]

5. I wish there was some way to load

up ALL that debris and drop it in Limbaugh's yard.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Just as long as I don't have to go pull his sorry ass out... I mean that would be

SOCIALISM.

(on a serious note if called upon to do it, yes, I would do it)

[DemoTex]

7. And what Nadin did not tell you is that she is/was a wildfire fighter.

Nadinbrzezinski is one of the most dedicated individuals on DU. When she speaks, I listen.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. No I did not do wildlife

Played support roles with them and trained as a basic urban firefighter since we ended up helping the Tijuana fire department more than once. So I figure having a clue could save my butt!

[DemoTex]

9. Indeed .. and noted.

But I think you meant "wildfire" instead of "wildlife."

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. True, and thanks

and you do valuable work too, as a look out... my envious.

These days I do some education... that's all.

[FrenchieCat]

11. K&R!

[truedelphi]

12. Thank you for your service. And for your

Explantion on how the time drags by while you are attempting to save lives.

Getting folks out from crumbling masonry is not easy. And doing it when after shocks plague an area has got to be hellacious.My hat is off to everyone on any type of rescue crew - here or abroad.

[lunatica]

13. You've come through like a giant spot light to light up the darkness of ignorance