Sep 9, 2005
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Janice Hightower’s MEDIC FIRST AID training became vital to her neighbors.
After the storm devastated Mississippi, Janice’s neighbor was repairing his roof when he fell through, lacerating his leg. His family went to Janice for help. She stopped the bleeding, bandaged the wound, and imparted a feeling of calm to the frightened family.
Not long after that, the neighbor’s wife had a first-ever seizure. Her panic-stricken son came back to Janice for more help. Janice quickly assessed that the patient was having difficulty breathing, so she simply tilted the woman’s head to provide an open airway. Janice also ensured that no injury could occur to the woman during the thrashing activity of the seizure. After the seizure, Janice put her patient into the recovery position and monitored her condition until the ambulance arrived. Throughout this ordeal, Janice calmed and reassured both the patient and her family, while gathering vital medical information about the patient. In gathering this information, she discovered that the patient had been unable to re-fill a prescription medicine due to a lack of gasoline for transportation to the pharmacy. When the paramedics arrived, Janice reported on the patient’s condition and about the lack of medication. They were very pleased to have this important information. Janice’s efforts not only reduced the severity of the situation, but also facilitated the transition to professional emergency medical care.
Janice mentioned to her MEDIC FIRST AID Instructor that what she learned in the first aid class just came back to her during the emergency. She didn’t realize how much the class would help her until she (and her community) needed it.
Learn more about the Good Samaritan Award Program.
