My first call...

I had my first "first aid consult" last week at work.  And, for just a brief moment, I felt like king of the hill.  As if I were putting all my training and practice to good use, while I helped a fellow co-worker through his problem. 

Really, though, it was the most bland and vanilla of calls.  But I figured it should be recorded.  You know.  For posterity. 

He approached me just before lunch, complaining of soreness in his legs.  I reminded myself to go through the usual first aid checklist - scene safe, one patient, airway is clear (he's talking to me), breathing is fine (he's in no respitory distress) and his circulation is fine (skin tone is good to go, and he's not sweating profusely or anything).  Which is, of course, silly.  But hey, who knows?  He could always be having an early stage heart attack.

Or, worse, bad gas.

We went through the usual trouble-shooting, and realized his pain was due to the fact that his chair wasn't at an appropriate height, and the way he was sitting in it was causing pain to his legs (which were cramping up).  It was very ER-esque.

Okay, sure, it was a very simple "call", and I did just wind up recommending that he adjust the height on his chair a little bit... and make it a point to get up and walk around every two hours.   But still, it was a call. And I got to use my first-aid-fu.  In case you didn't know this, if you chronically sit too long at your desk without moving, it can help build up blood clots and inreases your chances of a heart attack or a stroke. 

By informing him of this, I probably saved his life.  I know, I know.  I'm a hero.  You don't need to tell me I am.  I already know it. 

Seriously, though, I enjoyed it. Like I said, it was a simple call.  But it was kind of fun to be at work and go through the whole process of being "on call" and actively helping someone feel better, and live better.  The whole thing made me want to be in the nursing program, like, today.  As opposed to whenever I get off the damned waitlist.