Shaken

[Braxton]

Re: Shaken

DJ as a FF with 18 years on the job deputydawg is right on the money. God Bless you. Braxton

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Shaken

Back in the day I was delivering pizza. I was leaving a delivery, and I heard a strange sound. I turned my head and a car just nailed a pedestrian. Guy (victim) was a bit elderly, bleeding from the head pretty good, and out. I knocked on the closest door and told them to call 911 (I said back in the day, no cellphone). <br /><br />Cops came, ambulance came, guy dies next day, it was in the paper. <br /><br />I know the sick feeling first hand. <br /><br />I don't know how those of you in the first line do it every day. Thanks.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Shaken

A while back a good friends wife was training to be a paramedic and on her way home from class she came upon an accident in the oncoming lane of the highway. She pulled over and was running across the street to help out when she was run over and killed by another car. That just don't seem right to me.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Shaken

DJ,<br />My heart goes out to you man. Had the horrific misfortune/luck to witness and respond to an accident virtually in my front yard. Labor Day Weekend 18 years ago. Sat. evening at dusk, heard the squealing tires looked up to see the impact. Short version, family of four, only survivor a 4 year old boy. Can still remember him crying for his mom as I pulled him from the over turned car. Haunted me for a long, long time. You did what was right, it’s all you could do. May you find comfort in that fact.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Shaken

I'm sorry DJ. I pray that this vision dosen't stay with you. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

 

[txswinner]

Re: Shaken

DJ, From experience both military and civil what you have gone through will dull in memory with time. As humans we can only do so much in these circumstances but as you now feel it makes us feel empty when we are not successful.<br /><br />Not to minimize you stress, we should remember that each day in Iraq a young soldier faces this situation. You now can best express the agony of the living and the horrible gut wrenching effect felt when faced with death.<br /><br />I hope you will write more of what you feel and perhaps others will better understand why we must protect this soldiers and get them home.<br /><br />God bless you and my heart is with you and I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[ZooMbr]

Re: Shaken

Your efforts are commendable! My hats off to all who stop to help others; and, especially law enforcement/medical personal. <br /><br />I witness my first and only accident resulting in death when 17, like you after I just felt like vomiting. I have been by the bedside as family have passed away, last one this spring at FIL side; that has never bothered me as it was a sad blessing. But, a blessing never the less.<br /><br />Take strength from the posts from a community you are a part of, the accumulated thoughts will help as well as the experience of those who have been though this many times -law enforcement, veterans, and medical iboaters.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Shaken

DJ, thanks for doing what you did. I have been there and done that on several occasions, and what DD and Braxton said is true. It never gets easier, either. YOU may get harder, and find different ways to deal with it, but it never gets easier. I still remember my first accident call - pick-up into a telephone pole. Man conscious, but trapped. Truck caught fire as we arrived, we did our best, but ended up watching him burn. That picture still haunts me.<br /><br />Talk about it with your wife, your pastor, your close friends who can handle it. Remember, although it was tough for you, somewhere a family has learned that their son/husband/father/friend did not die alone, but there was a kind soul there holding them, praying for them, helping them.<br /><br />How do they know? Well, news like that travels, from the nurse, to the EMT's, to the emergency room, and to the family. Anything of comfort generally travels with the patient.<br /><br />Thanks again, DJ. You did the right thing.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Shaken

Originally posted by Techtoosweet:EDIT <br /><br /><br />Cheers. Death is some real buIIsh;t.

 

[ZodFutMk2]

Re: Shaken

Some very good responses with very useful and correct information.<br /><br />You did the right thing stopping and being there.<br /><br />Grieve, vent and be thankful.<br /><br />It may be difficult to figure out how to express your feelings. How do you get someone to understand the grief in your heart for someone that you didn't know and how their passing has had a profound effect on you.<br /><br />Know that you are not alone. Just from the replies here, it is obvious that many of us have dealt with death close up and personal. <br /><br />Hang in there and keep the faith.<br /><br />Zod

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Shaken

Sgt. Randy Sutton put a quote in his book behind the badge or the blur line or something like that released a year or two ago. Every time we as humans or as emergency personell see a death scene or a violent act we lose a little. We have a clock that ticks off every time we see this, the man in the car wreck (tick) the child abused and wounded mentally for life (tick), the suicide victim (tick). It all adds up. <br /><br />My answer to that is good friends, my family, and my boat or race cars. <br /><br />When you feel what you all describe it is normal. When you don't there is a problem. I know, I stopped feeling it at one time. Had to do what Sgt. Sutton said and get away to rewind the clock. <br /><br />Just keep on working it out and it will get better in time. <br />By the way, I haven't seen a reply. Either I missed it or there is none. Please post something to let us know how you are doing.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Shaken

I met a guy shortly before he died. It was in a feed store, and he was loading oats bags in his trunk. I gave him a hand, and watched him leave as i waited on the forklift to being my order to the loading ramp. As he pulled out into the highway, i saw him get T-boned.He pulled-out right in front of a car. I ran to them, but there was no pulse on the man i just exchanged jokes with on the loading dock. I haunts me to this day. But after seeing five members of my own family die from cancer, and one die in a head-on car accident, there is no question in my mind how i personally want to go out.<br />And when we look at the ways we die, "not knowing what hit you" has something to be desired. Given the fact that we all die, he suffered much less than most. We all should stay "ready" to die. I made my peace with everyone and God, and live the rest of the time I have left as the rest of the time I have left.

 

[Kalian]

Re: Shaken

DJ, nice to see people still have compasion. I've never seen someone die, and hope I never do. You did all you could, and a lot more than some would. Your top-notch in my book.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Shaken

Been there JB and I feel for you. I am not going to tell the story because it still flips me out. It happened almost 17 years ago and I still remember it like it was yesterday as much as I have tried to forget it. If I could go back and pick just one day to stay home in bed it would be that one. Just remember to talk to anyone you know about it when you feel the need to. Something I found out many years later.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Shaken

We wish you peace.

 

[alumistar]

Re: Shaken

dj, a couple years ago i saw a saab 900 literally fly off a frontage road skirting the interstate, slowly turn about 90 degrees in mid flight, perpedicular to traffic about 7 or 8 feet in the air for like 30 yards or so and get hit by a big rig while still in the air. being that at that time i worked as a cert. nursing assistant in an acute care unit, i've seen my fair share of death. it hurts me to say that after a few times witnessing these events, you get used to it. because i got "used" to it, i no longer work in medical at all......what finally made me quit last year was this poor, helpless 5 year old who had a tree branch fall and crush him because, as you would guess it, a drunk driver slammed into a tree no more than 2feet from this poor kid. the positive side is that this kid did not die. he was in critical care(my intensive care unit)for about 3 months and is well now. i couldn't quit after receiving him. i have a 5 year old, and never want to see anything like that again......even if it's not my own child!!! i am just thankful to have been there and that i was his security blanket at night! i just couldn't leave until i knew he was o.k. my thoughts and prayers are with you, indefinately. p.s. to all caring pros in the medical field, YOU ROCK!!! don't stop doing what you're best at!!!