A woman just fell in front of me....

[hermosabeach]

I was walking out of CVS and an elderly lady fell in front of me....
Here adult son was with her and turned as she dropped.... my arms were loaded with stuff, but I stopped...

She hit a concrete trash can on the way down and hit her forehead on the cement... 30-50 drops of blood immediately appeared in front of her...

The Son was immediately trying to stand her up. I stopped him from trying to lift her up and convinced him that the Mom sitting was ideal for a bit.

I then started asking if they had tissues as she was bleeding from both hands and the bridge of her nose.... I instructed him to apply pressure after he just stuck a tissue on her thumb. She said she has weak skin and had torn open both thumbs and a finger from her ring.

As I was debating a run back to the car for my kit, an employee who is 1st aid trained came out with a bag of bandages and started helping her out.

I started asking the simple questions to help determine her state of mind... she was a funny lady...

Just a quick reminder to keep your 1st aid, CPR, AED and common sense current...

(My lady has a stomach bug and my gut does not feel great. I was hesitant to get get to close as the last thing anyone wants is a stomach bug where you get to blow out of both ends for 48 hours)

 

[ArmyJerry]

good on ya

 

[Alphatreedog]

Thanks Hermosa . Get training , get a kit and keep it with you/ nearby . I can't express how things like this move me and restore my faith .

 

[Mwalex]

I wish most people would take basic first aid and had a minimal kit.

 

[Blue Sky Country]

Great post and great job in assessing and responding to the situation in a professional manner. Further kudos on advising the son to not get her to stand up. Usually with injuries, you DO NOT want the injured person to attempt too much movement until it is determined that they have not suffered anything serious. ESPECIALLY head and neck/spinal injuries.

I keep a "travel" grade first aid kit with me at all times and even on my person I got a roll of gauze, clotting formula and antiseptic in one of the pockets of my work pants.

I recommend first aid and CPR training for anyone who is able to get them. You never know when skills like these are needed. Just like in OP's case, injuries and accidents can happen right out of the blue. This post serves as the reinforcement that we should take the time to be constantly prepared and ready to act in a second's notice. After all, we all own guns, emergency long-term rations and fire extinguishers right? Being prepared to handle basic medical and wound care situations must also be part of our daily know how.

 

[Rthur]

Had an incident recently similar.
A guy I used to have coffee with took the turn into his driveway a little fast
on his rascal.
He is a fair sized guy.
There he is laid out with his wife still in her robe.
Luckily not much more than his pride hurt.
My BIL was at hand to get him back onto his feet.
Scared me a bit seeing him laid out like that.

R

 

[Kadams1563]

I had an older lady fall in front of me not too long ago outside of a body shop. I ran outside and attempted to help her up. She became offensive and cussed me out. I was like damn you old bitch I’m trying to help you out.

Needless to say I still tried to help her out because I knew she was just embarrassed. I also have a soft spot for angry old people.

When I’m sold as shit I’m gonna be angry as hell too.

 

[Clearlight]

Good for you for stepping up. Did a refresher last year, and was surprised that a few procedures had
changed / been updated.