Adee!

One of the worst and inevitable characteristics of traveling is that the end is always sad. I have never met someone that said "I am so happy that my vacations ended!"

But vacations must end, and today it is my turn to say goodbye...

http://murdockcrc.whereareyou.net/index.php?intMessageId=67606

Switzerland's prettiest barroque city

Solothurn advertises itself as the prettiest barroque city from Switzerland. Well, I'm not an expert on barroque cities to judge that, but Solothurn managed to call my attention.

The history of Solothurn dates back to the year 14 - 37 AD, with the foundation of the celtic Salodurum, around the time when Tiberius was the emperor of the Roman Empire. That means that across almost 1000 years, what today is Solothurn is heavily influenced with the architecture of several epoques, something that is quite unique for such a small place. And the fact that this place has managed to survive almost 1.000 years is simply fantastic!...

http://murdockcrc.whereareyou.net/index.php?intMessageId=67589

Buongiorno Lugano!

Going to Lugano from Zurich means crossing the country from north to south. Even though the journey takes almost 3 hours to complete, and that it costs CHF 118, I wanted to see and meet the Italian part of Switzerland. I also was a little bit intrigued: was the Italian Switzerland just as the Italy I knew? Just because they speak the same language doesn’t mean they are equal, but they must share some of the culture, shouldn’t they?...

http://murdockcrc.whereareyou.net/index.php?intMessageId=67444

The endless Lucerne

For those staying in Zurich and having one day to spare, the visit to Lucerne is mandatory.

The trip from Zürich Hauptbahnhof (main train station) to Luzern takes around 50 minutes with an InterRegio train from the SBB. The train tickets price is around CHF 46, not expensive for a Swiss train...

http://murdockcrc.whereareyou.net/index.php?intMessageId=67429

Top of Zurich

In one of my previous posts, I told you about a place where one can see the best panoramic view of the city of Zurich. Well, this is the place...

Read the rest on my travel blog:
http://murdockcrc.whereareyou.net/index.php?intMessageId=67285

Tour around Zürich

I am a true believer that city tours by bus are one of the best ways available to get to know a city, at least the most important landmarks. So, as always, I took a city tour from "Best of Switzerland".

Now, in a wonderful display of my endless intelligence, I forgot to take my digital camera with me. Therefore, I had to take the pictures with my cellphone. Please, pardon the bad quality of the images...

One of the company's offers (http://www.bestofswitzerlandtours.ch/) is an extended, 4-hour tour through Zürich and its surroundings. At first, the bus drove near the main train station towards Wollishofen, where it stopped so that we could observe Lake Zürich (Zürchersee). Here, people can sail their boats on the lake and even swim and take the sun along its shore (that is, in summer, of course).

Afterwards, the tour circled around Zürich's highlands to the north, where one can see beautiful (and very expensive) houses. Also, we drove in front of the FIFA's new headquarter building. As you may know, FIFA's main offices have been in Zürich for quite several years now.

Coming back down to Zürich, we stopped at Fraumünster church. This church is right in front of another very important landmark of Zürich, the Großmünster church. The church of Fraumünster was founded in the year 853, and is widely known for its windows, done by Marc Chagall, which display stories from both the Old and New testament in marvelously elaborated glass.

Großmünster church:

Fraumünster church:

Next, the tour took us to the airtram on Adlis. There, we climbed to a mountain where one could see most of the valley where Zürich resides. Though not the best spot to see a panoramic view of Zürich (that will come later...), the view is still precious and worth the effort to get there.

Views of the valley:

To end the tour, we crossed Lake Zürich via the Meilen ferry. The ferry takes about 8 minutes to cross the lake from one side to the other. Here, the views of the city are also impressive.

As for the tour, well, I'll highly recommend it to everybody traveling to Zürich. It costs CHF 45 (about $43), but you get good value for your money.Bye,Luis.

Bye bye beloved friends

So, it finally happened:

After nearly 4 years of uninterrupted service, my Rudy Project sunglasses died today while skiing.

For those of you who know me, you'll know how important these sunglasses have been. They have accompanied and protected my eyes while doing everything: skiing, rodeln, jogging, rappeling, shooting, rescues, etc.

Along the way, they have done much more than protect my eyes from the sun, but they have also been struck with shrapnel while shooting, with dust and rocks while rappeling, splashed with blood, oil and other substances while working at the Red Cross, and so much more. These fellows have withstood much more, I am sure, than what they were actually designed to resist.

I will always remember them for their almost perfect and loyal service, and if you wish to buy the BEST protective sunglasses on Earth, be sure to buy the Rudy Project Ketyum. They are expensive, but worth every single cent.

Here you'll see the last picture of them:
http://public.fotki.com/murdockcrc/traveling/sterreic h-2007-wint/dscn0075.html

Some photos of them at service:
Holmatro Motor Vehicle Crash course:
http://public.fotki.com/murdockcrc/cruz-roja/demost raciones-y-en/curso-holmatro-2007/dsc0136.html

Rope rescue:
http://public.fotki.com/murdockcrc/cruz-roja/demost raciones-y-en/demostracin-rescate/dsc02205copy.html

Structural collapse rescue training in Texas, USA:
http://public.fotki.com/murdockcrc/cruz-roja/demostrac iones-y-en/curso-texas-2005/fotos-texas-fire-tr-1/img3263.ht ml

While rodeln:
http://public.fotki.com/murdockcrc/traveling/sterre ich-2006--aus/dsc0023.html

See you, old friends...

Mission Accomplished

Hi Friends:

With great pleasure and satisfaction I can tell you that I approved my last test to finally become a lawyer. My eternal gratitude to those that gave me their best wishes before the test.

The exam was actually NOT what I expected. I was presented in front of 6 experienced lawyers, one of them a man with more than 25 years of being a judge. But the questions were more like conversation-styled, with the purpose, I think, of trying to make the student feel comfortable and not intimidated.

After 30 minutes of this interview-like test, they told me it was enough, and gave me a grade of 90! 

Now comes graduation, though when I do not know yet.

See ya,

Luis. 

Graduate test topics

Today I received the topics that I must present at my test. Let me explain to you how the test is going to go:

The test, an oral exam, lasts 1 hour. The student is presented in front of a jury, composed normally of 3 to 5 members. During the first 15 minutes, the student must present the first topic assigned. During the next 15 minutes, the student must present the second topic. And the remaining 30 minutes are dedicated to what I call "Fire at Will": the jury will ask whatever they want, about whatever they want.

Well, today, 4 days before test, they gave us candidates the topics to present. Mine are the following:

Topic I
Equity and private property
Luckily for me, I got his topic, not only one that I enjoy a lot, but one that I dominate confidently.

Topic II
The concept of family at its historical evolution
Honestly, I do not enjoy Family Law. But luckily, I got a very simple topic. Here, I have to talk about the concept of family from a legal perspective, as well as how the family and its law have evolved across time.

The test begins on Wednesday, 5th December.
Wish me luck :-)

Regards,
Luis.

Blog topic changes

Hello friends:

Since I belong no longer to COMSER, it is natural to change this blog to something else. Therefore, I've decided to make this blog my personal blog, not just of topics related to my work on the Red Cross.

However, for those of you interested on the Red Cross, this blog's archive will still maintain those posts that I've made.

I hope you will enjoy this new blog, and please, feel free to leave comments whenever you like!

Regards,
Luis.

One weel till deadline

In exactly 8 days, I will be doing my final graduation test. I will have to prove a tribunal of respected and experienced lawyers, that I deserve to be considered one of them too.

Now, the dynamic is going to be as follows. The test is oral, that is, no written questions, no presentations or powerpoints, no nothing but yourself and your words. They are going to give me 2 topics to talk about during 30 minutes, and after that, they will open “fire at will” and ask about anything they deem appropriate. But, what can they ask about? Anything of what I’ve studied during the last 4 years: obligations, commercial law, property law, General Theory of the Contract, Family Law, Labor law and Criminal Law, among others. So yeah, I’ll have to dodge some bullets, just as Neo.

The problem with an oral test is that you do not have time to think: once they ask you a question, you either answer it or not. You cannot erase your answers, or think it over for 5 minutes as you would do on a written test. Furthermore, you must speak and appear to have complete dominance of the exercise, that is, the vocal tone and body language play an important role here.

Anyway, whatever happens, I am well prepared for it: I have been intensively studying for more than 2 months now, successfully approved the preparation-test (which is an oral exam too), and thoroughly reviewed the laws, theories and jurisprudence of our courts. Whatever comes, I’m ready to charge against it, or die trying :-)

In one week, I expect to gladly communicate to all of you that I have become a lawyer.

See ya,
Luis.

Goodbye COMSER

Well, this is it. After 2 years of belonging to one of latin america’s best emergency services community, it is finally time to say goodbye. The reason for my departure is quite simple: intolerance.

Though our work at the Red Cross is volunteer, ad-honorem, the people in charge of the volunteers at COMSER tend to forget often that we, in the end, do not receive a salary for the ardous work we perfom; that we study or work (or both as myself), that we have families and friends to take care of, that is, that our volunteer work as paramedics, whether we like it or not, does not enjoy of the highest priority on our lifes.

Therefore, the bosses at COMSER decided that it would be better if I do not belong anymore to the committee, considering that I’ve not been able to attend regularly as demanded, since this december I’ll be taking my last exams to graduate from Law School. Well, too bad, but whether they like it or not, I AM receiving my lawyer’s diploma.

Anyway, the experience of belonging to a group of such marvelous people was amazing. During my first month of work I learned what I hadn’t learned in 2 years as a paramedic for another committee. Just to give you an idea, during my very first day at COMSER, during our 12-hour watch, we had to attend 3 different people that in the end, died. That’s right, 3 dead in just 12 hours! The trauma and medical emergency cases we deal with at COMSER are not to be seen everywhere. Sometimes they are, actually, spectacular!

During my time I learned a lot about life, about being able to appreciate little things that we tend to forget. In the end, it is these little things that give meaning to one’s life, but because of our busy lifestyle, we give them for granted. Truly, I must tell you people, there is no better school for learning about life than the street itself, and I took a term on this school, working as a paramedic, trying to bring relief to people, sometimes succeeding, but sometimes also failing.

My gratitude must also go to the great paramedics, medics and rescuers that taught me everything I know. People like Hugo Madrigal, Tony Chacón, Manuel Miranda, Johnny Ramírez, Jim Batres, Paulo Monge, and many many more, dedicated their time to teach me how to do my work better and more efficiently. Their effort was remarkable, and I will always be thankful to them.

And now, what’s going to happen with me? Actually, I don’t know. My bosses gave me the choice of transfering to another unit, or officially discharging me. I’ll let you know what happens. To be honest, right now, there is only one thing on my mind: approving my last test and graduate from Law School!!! Wish me luck!

If you wish to see some pics, check them out here (the guy with the huge white helmet and white coat is me :)):


http://public.fotki.com/murdockcrc/cruz-roja/comser/colisiones/dsc00014.html

http://public.fotki.com/murdockcrc/cruz-roja/comser/colisiones/hpim0699.html

http://public.fotki.com/murdockcrc/cruz-roja/comser/varios/imagen001.html

http://public.fotki.com/murdockcrc/cruz-roja/demostraciones-y-en/curso-holmatro-2007/dsc0116.html

http://public.fotki.com/murdockcrc/cruz-roja/demostraciones-y-en/curso-holmatro-2007/dsc0136.html

Colisión La Uruca, 2 Muertos | La Uruca MVC, 2 dead | La Uruca Verkeherunfall, 2 Töte

Jueves 1 de Marzo, 2007:

Un aparatoso accidente de tránsito ocurrió la madrugada de este Jueves 1 de Marzo, justo frente a las instalaciones de REPRETEL, en La Uruca.

Un pequeño vehículo tipo van, con dos personas dentro, colisionó violentamente contra uno de los árboles que adornan el margen derecho de la carretera (en dirección Alajuela - San José). Las dos personas, dos hombres que trabajaban para una empresa de seguridad, fallecieron, y sus cuerpos quedaron prensados.

Al lugar nos hicimos presentes las unidades 02 y 05 de COMSER, además de una máquina de bomberos y la ambulancia de León XIII.

Nada que hacer mas que extraer los cuerpos, se esperó al personal de OIJ durante una hora, luego de la cual entre los compañeros Antonio Gaitán, Tony Chacón y mi persona, procedimos con la extracción de los cuerpos, la cual se extendió por alrededor de 20 minutos.

Vale la pena mencionar que, debido a un descuido (y a que eran las 3 de la madrugada), olvidé mi casco en la unidad 09, por lo que tuve que utilizar un casco de aguas rápidas, que por cierto, son bastante feos e inapropiados para rescate vehicular!!!!

Thursday, March 1st 2007:

A very violent accident occured this Thursday early morning, just in front of the REPRETEL building.

A little van, with two people inside, crashed horribly against a huge tree, one of those that decorate the road at the right side (direction Alajuela - San José). Both men, who worked for a security company, died, and their bodies were trapped inside the collapsed structure of the van.

Units 02 and 05 of COMSER were dispatched, as well as an ambulance of León XIII and a firetruck.

Nothing to do for the men but to extricate their bodies, we waited for judicial personnel for about an hour, after which my partners Antonio Gaitán, Tony Chacón and myself, proceeded to open up the car to free the dead bodies. The extrication procedure lasted some 20 minutes.

It is worth mentioning, that I forgot my helmet inside unit 09. I had nothing left to do but to use one of the rapid-waters rescue helmets that were inside the 02 truck, which are very ugly and inappropriate for road-crash rescue. Anyway, it is one of those moments of frustration that later you see very funny!!!!!

Dienstag, 1 März 2007

Ein sehr hässlicher Verkehrsunfall ist am Dienstag früh am Morgen, gerade vor REPRETELs Gebäude, geschehen.

Ein kleiner Transporter, der 2 Menschen trug, ist gegen einen sehr großen Baum gekracht. Auf der linken Seite der Straße, Richtung Alajuela - San José, gibt es viele große Bäume, so der Lenker des Autos hat vielleicht die Kontrolle verloren und gegen den Baum zusammengestoßen. Die zwei Menschen waren sofort tot, und die beiden Leichen im Auto eingeklemmt.

Amzulanzen 05 und unserer Rettungslastwagen 02 wurden zu dem Notort entsendet, zusammen mit einer Ambulanz aus León XIII und die Feuerwehr.

Außer die Leichen zu retten, man könnte nichts für die 2 Männer machen. So, wir haben für die gerichtlich Polizei eine Stunde gewartet, und danach, meine Kollegen Antonio Gaitán, Tony Chacón und ich haben mit hydraulischen Rettungswerkzeuge die Leichen weggenommen. Die Rettung der Leichen hat etwa 20 Minuten gedauert.

Also, ich habe mein Rettungsschutzhelm in Ambulanz 09 vergessen. So, ich musste ein Schnellwasser Rettungsschutzhelm benutzen, und diese Schutzhelme sind sehr aber sehr hässlich und sehr unangemessen für Verkehersunfälle. Aber, es war ein bisschen lustig!!!

02:
Paulo
Gaitán
Luis

05:
El Gato
J. Zúñiga
Tony

Curso Holmatro 2007 | Holmatro Extrication Course 2007 | Holmatro Rettungenkurs 2007

Del 16 al 18 de Febrero, se impartió en la sede de la Cruz Roja Alajuela el curso de rescate vehicular impartido por el Sr. Oscar Campillo de Holmatro USA, en asociación con el distribuidor local de la marca, Lenex.

Verdaderamente, y a criterio personal, Holmatro lleva la delantera en tecnología y diseño de equipos de rescate vehicular. Desde detalles tan finos como la luz en la agarradera de las herramientas, hasta tecnología tan avanzada como las mangueras CORE, es una herramienta versátil y muy funcional. Pero no solamente se liminta Holmatro a fabricar excelentes herramientas, sino que además las une con técnicas propias, algunas muy singulares pero efectivas.

Las fotos del curso las pueden acceder en el siguiente link.

MurdockCRC Live Space

From February 16th to the 18th, Holmatro extrication course was given at the Red Cross of Alajuela. The instructor, Oscar Campillo from Holmatro USA, and the local brand distributor, Lenex, are the ones to thank for the activity.

Holmatro is truly an exceptional rescue tool, and is far ahead from its competitors in technology and design. Details as the lights on the tool, as well as more advanced features as the CORE hoses, make this a very functional and agile tool. But not only does Holmatro manufactures extreme rescue tools, they also create excellent rescue techniques that are efficient and practical.

Pictures of the course can be viewed here:

MurdockCRC Live Space

Von Februar 16 bis Februar 18, ein Holmatro Rettungskurs wurde in dem Roten Kreuz von Alajuela gegeben. Danken an der Lehrer, Herr Oscar Campillo von Holmatro USA, und der lokal Verteiler Lenex, für die Aktivität.

Holmatro ist wirklich ein sehr gutes und super Rettungswerkzeug. Details wie die Lichte in dem Werkzeug, und technologische fortgeschritten Dinge wie die CORE Schlauch, machen diesen Herstellen vielleicht der beste der Welt.

Sie können auf diesen Seite mehrere Fotos von dem Kurs anschauen:

MurdockCRC Live Space

Colisión Alajuelita, 1 herido grave | MVC in Alajuelita, 1 seriously injured | Verkehrsunfall in Alajuelita, 1 schwer Verletzt

Martes 27 de Febrero, 2007:

Últimamente ha habido bastante acción respecto a los accidentes de tránsito en la capital. En este caso en particular, la unidad 09 y la unidad 02 del Comité Metropolitano, junto con las unidades de Escazú y San Juan de Dios de Desamparados, fueron despachadas para atender, según despacho, una colisión entre una microbus y un autoliviano.

En el lugar, efectivamente se encontraba una microbús volcada sobre su costado derecho. En la misma viajaban 6 personas, algunas de las cuales sufrieron traumas leves que fueron atendidos oportunamente.


Sin embargo, en el vehículo liviano, donde solo viajaba su conductor, se encontraba éste gravemente herido, con una disficultad respiratorio evidente y que requirió una extracción rápida de urgencia para iniciar tratamiento y mejorar su condición.


Concretamente, el paciente presentaba un pneumotórax bilateral, con evidente enfisema subcutáneo y un patrón ventilatorio totalmente irregular. Con una oximetría de apenas 46%, el mejoramiento de su mecanismo ventilatorio y aseguramiento de vía aérea fueron indispensables para que el paciente llegase vivo al hopsital, el cual estaba a unos 7 minutos de viaje.

De camino se le aplicó una vía intravenosa de grueso calibre, se le practicaron dos toracocentesis y se le suministró oxígeno suplementario, con lo cual su oximetría mejoró a 90% entrando al hospital. Sin embargo, debido a las severas lesiones de tórax, su pronóstico es muy reservado.


Tuesday, February 27th 2007:


There has been lately a lot of action and work to do related to transit incidents in the capital city. In this case, unit 09 and rescue truck 02, along with units from Escazú and San Juan de Dios de Desamparados, were dispatched to a MVC between a small van and a car.


Once at the place, effectively, a van had rolled over and lied on its right side. 6 people traveled inside it, and some of them suffered from light traumas that were treated promptly.


However, inside the car, there was the driver who was seriously injured, with a very severe respiratory difficulty. Due to his inability to correctly oxigenate, the man, of about 28 years of age, was extricated from the car quickly with a rapid procedure, so that airway management treatment and transport could begin immediately.


Specifically, the driver had a bilateral pneumothorax, with a very evident subcutaneous emphysema that could be easily palpated (even with extrication gloves!), and presented a very irregular ventilatory pattern. With an oximetry of just 46%, improving his ventilation was a must to ensure he arrived alive to the hospital and to have a greater chance of survival.

During transport, the patient received a large-bore IV, and two thoracocentesis were applied to reduce the pneumothorax pressure. Suplementary oxygen was given, and once at the hospital, his oximetry improved to 90%. But even though, his prognosis is not very good at all, since the blunt thorax trauma is extremely severe.


Dienstag, 27 Februar 2007:


Diese letzte zwei Wochen waren ganz verrückt! Es gab viele Verkehrsunfälle, die meisten mit schwer verletzte Leute, und sogar manche eingeklemmt.


In diesem Fall, Ambulanz 09 und Rettungslastwagen 02, zusammen mit Krankenwagen von Escazú und San Juan de Dios de Desamparados, wurden nach Alajuelita entsendet.

Auf dem Ort gab es einen über gerollten Transporter, der 6 Menschen transportierte. Einige wurden leicht verletzt und wurden schnell behandelt.


Aber, in dem Auto war noch der Lenker, und er war sehr schwer verletzt. Er könnte nicht richtig atmen, und brauchtet mit einer schnell Befreiungsprozedur aus dem Auto weggenommen werden.


Ausdrücklich, der Lenker des Autos hattet einen bilateral Pneumothorax, mit einem erkennbaren Subkutanemphysema. Seine Oximetrie war nur 46%. Wir haben ihm eine große Intravenösgang und zwei Thoracocentesis gemacht, und wenn wir zu dem Krankenhaus angekommen waren, seine Oximetrie war 90%, viel besser! Aber, seine Prognose ist nicht gut.

09:
Antonio Gaitán
Paulo Monge
Luis Delgado

02:
Tony Chacón
Minor Carballo

Colisión Frontal en Guadalupe (MVC in Guadalupe)

Jueves 2 de Marzo de 2006:

Durante esta guardia, que inició el miércoles a las 18.30 horas bajo el mando del TEM Paulo Monge, fue asignado al camión de rescate (unidad 02) junto con los técnicos en emergencias médicas Hugo Madrigal y Johnny Torres.

A las 2am de este jueves, la unidad 171 del comité auxiliar en Guadalupe fue despachada para atender una colisión en la esquina noroeste del parque de Guadalupe. Al llegar al lugar, el personal de Guadalupe inicia el manejo del incidente, una colisión frontal entre dos vehículos livianos; en ambos vehículos había personas prensadas. Debido a esto, el personal de Guadalupe pide a la central de comunicaciones de Cruz Roja el despacho de una unidad de rescate.

A las 02.08 suena el inconfundible tono de rescate en el comité metropolitano, y prontamente son despachadas las unidades 05 (soporte), 09 (soporte) y 02 (rescate).

Al llegar a la escena, se estableció un perimetraje para asegurar la zona, se estabilizaron los vehículos y se recibió información por parte del personal que ya estaba presente sobre la condición de los pacientes y las necesidades que debía suplir el personal de rescate.

Este fue, personalmente, un rescate muy significativo pues por primera vez tengo la oportunidad de utilizar el equipo hidráulico para hacer la extracción de una persona, en un incidente real. A pesar que las técnicas de extracción las he empleado, y el equipo lo he utilizado en varias ocasiones durante cursos de rescate, entrenamiento y prácticas, fue en este rescate donde por primera vez utilizo esos conocimientos en un incidente verdadero. Así, Hugo Madrigal, quien iba a cargo de la unidad de rescate 02, nos indicó a Johnny Torres y a mí que desplazáramos la pared de fuego. Luego de esto, ambos se fueron hacia el otro vehículo, quedando yo solo con el primero, al que terminé por cortarle el volante con la X-tractor para finalizar la liberación.

El paciente del primer vehículo fue transportado por la unidad 05 con un importante trauma de cráneo. Esto porque el paciente no llevaba cinturón. De hecho, se puede observar en las fotografías del carro blanco, una forma de "estrella" (o bullseye), típico de las personas que estrellan sus cabezas contra el parabrisas cuando no llevan el cinturón de seguridad. Ambos pacientes fueron llevados al Hospital Calderón Guardia.

Las noticias son de Diario Extra y de Al Día. Agradecimiento al corresponsal de Diario Extra Francisco Obando por facilitar algunas de las fotografías.


Thursday, March 2nd, 2006:

During this turn, that started WEdnesday al 18.30 hours under the command of EMT Paulo Monge, I was assigned to the rescue truck (unit 02) along with EMT's Hugo Madrigal and Johnny Torres.

At 02.00 of this Thursday, unit 171 from Guadalupe was dispatched to attend an MVC (motor vehicle crash) just across the Park of Guadalupe. Two cars had crashed; in both of them were trapped people. Because of this, Guadalupe's personnal asked the Red Cross' Communications Central assistance to extricate the patients. At 02.08, the unmistakeable rescue dispatch sounds all over the building at COMSER, and units 05 (ALS), 09 (ALS) and 02 (rescue) were quickly dispatched.

Once at the scene, we established a perimeter to secure the area, both vehicles were stabilized and wer received information from the personnal already at the scene on the patients' condition and the neccessities that the rescue personnel had to satisfy.

Personally, this was a very significative rescue to me, because for the first time I had the opportunity to use the hydraulic equipment to extricate a persona on a real-life incident. Though I had practiced the extrication techniques, and used hydraulic tools several times before on training and practices, this was the first time that I had to put that knowledge into use to free a person who was actually trapped. This was indeed very satisfying for me. So, Hugo Madrigal, who was in charge of the rescue unit, told Johnny and me to make a dash-roll to free the patient. Once that was done, Hugo and Johnny proceeded to the other car, and I was left alone with the first car. There, I finished the extrication by cutting the turning wheel of the car, and then the patient was free.

The patient of the first vehicle was then rapidly loaded into ambulance 05 to initiate rapid transport to the medical facility. He had a severe craneal trauma, because he was not wearing his seatbelt. In fact, if you look at the pictures, you can see that on the white vehicle's windshield there is a bullseye figure. That is typical of people crashing their heads against the windshield when crashing frontally and not wearing their seatbelts.

Both patients were transported to Hospital Calderón Guardia.

The news are from Diario Extra and Al Día. Our gratefulness to Diario Extra's journalist Francisco Obando for facilitating some of the pictures.

Unidad 02:
Hugo
Johnny Torres
Luis Carlos

Unidad 05:
Leo
Víquez

Unidad 09:
Paulo
Roberto

Carro choca contra muro (Car crashes against wall)

Miércoles 22 de Febrero de 2006:

Cerca de las 9 de la noche, las unidades 09, 10 y 02 fueron despachadas para atender una colisión donde, según los datos suministrador por los traseúntes, dos personas permanecían prensadas dentro de un vehículo liviano que colisionó contra un muro.

Al llegar al lugar, ya los ocupantes del carro habían salido por propios medios (o sacados por los curiosos, en realidad nunca se supo con certeza). En una de las aceras, yacían acostadas dos mujeres, ambas de aproximadamente 20 años de edad.

Me tocó atender a una de ellas, a la rubia, la cual estaba consciente y orientada, alerta, pero muy ansiosa. A pesar que era de evidente tez blanca, se le notaba una profunda palidez, y sus labios se presentaban muy morados (pálida y cianótica). Adicionalmente, indica que le costaba mucho respirar (dyspnea) y que le dolía el abdomen y la zona lumbar. La auscultación de los campos pulmonares no reveló problemas mecánicas ventilatorios, pero el traumar abdominal era de tener presente, pues presentaba una rigidez preocupante (abdomen en tabla). Rápidamende se le inmobilizó el cuello y la espina vertebral, se le puso una vía intravenosa de suero cristaloide, y se montó en la ambulancia para ser transportaba con prontitud al Hospital Calderón Guardia, al igual que la otra mujer.

En la escena se encontraba el aparente novio de una de las heridas, quién debido a su estado de nerviosismo (posiblemente agravado por el hecho que él era quien venía conduciendo) no hacía más que entrometerse en el trabajo de los cuerpos de socorro. Esta situación es muy normal, cuando una de las personas involucradas, o cercana a los heridos, se entromete en la escena, cuyo único resultado es el retraso del rescate o de la atención médica. Usualmente en estos casos, los cuerpos de socorro terminan sacándo a estos individuos de la escena, ya sea con la asistencia de la Fuerza Pública, o por propios medios.

Ambas pacientes fueron ingresadas a la sala de shock del Hospital.

Las fotos son del Diario Extra, donde la noticia fue primera plana.

February, Wednesday 22nd, 2006:

At arround 21.00 hours, units 09, 10 and 02 were dispatched to an MVC. According to the nitial incident report, a car crashed violently against a concrete wall, and two passenger were trapped inside. Once we got to the scene, all the car's occupants were out of the vehicle (wether they got out by themselves, or assisted by the bystanders is still unknown).

On the sidewalk two girls were laying down, each one approximately 20 years old. I had to attend one of them, the blond, who was alert, conscious and oriented, but very anxious. Although she was very white skin, you could easily notice she was very pale, and her lips were very deep-purple colored too (pallor and cyanosis). Aditionally, she told me that it was very difficult for her to breathe (dyspnea) and that she had a terrible pain on her abdomen and on her lumbar zone. Chest auscultation did not reveal any ventilatory mechanical problem, but her abdominal trauma was severe, since her abdomen was very rigid. We inmobilized rapidly her cervical spine and vertebral spine, started an IV with cristalloid infusion and was loaded into the ambulance to start transport to the Hospital Calderón Guardia, as so the other woman.

On the scene was, apparently, one of the girls' boyfriend, who because of his nervous state (posibly worsened by the fact that he was the one driving the car), did not do anything but delay the medical attention to the patients. These situations are very normal, when one of the involved people, or someone close to them, get into the scene, and the only result is the worked being delayed or even spoiled at all. Usually, these cases end up with us asking the police to take them out of the scene at all, or we end up ourselves dragging this people out. It is very frustrating and annoying.

Both patients were promptly entered inside shock room at the Hospital.

The pictures are from Diario Extra, where the news made frontpage.

09:
Masís (conductor)
Johnny (paramédico)
Luis Carlos (asistente)
Jorge Bermúdez (asistente)

10:
Bimbo (conductor)
Marchini (asistente)

02:
Baloo (conductor)
Róger (rescatista)

Niño atacado por Rottweilers (Boy attacked by Rottweilers)

Miércoles 25 de Enero, 2006:

Siguiendo una serie de lamentables fenómenos a nivel nacional, en donde en menos de una semana se han suscitado 3 incidentes con perros, un niño de tan solo 7 años de edad fue brutalmente atacado por 3 perros de la raza Rottweiler, los cuales le causaron fatales lesiones.

El ataque sucedió propiamente en barrio Los Cocos, en la provincia de Limón. Una vez que los vecinos testigos del feroz ataque lograron liberar al niño de los perros, éstos lo montaron en condición crítica en un taxi, y lo trasladaron al hospital Tony Facio de Limón. Ahí, los médicos se dieron cuenta que el niño ya venía en paro cardiorespiratorio, y debieron practicarle una traqueotomía, ya que los perros le lasceraron la tráquea y el esófago, haciendo imposible realizar una intubación endotraqueal convencional.

Prontamente se coordinó para que una avioneta de seguridad pública se trasladara a Limón, para traer el niño vía aérea al aeropuerto Juan Santamaría, de donde sería trasladado por tierra al Hospital Nacional de Niños.

Fuimos despachados para, primero, ir al hospital de niños s recoger el Dr. Marco Vargas, quien era compañado por dos enfermeras más. Posteriormente, los desplazamos al aeropuerto, en donde esperamos a la avioneta por unos 20 minutos. Finalmente, la avioneta llegó y pasamos al niño a la ambulancia para su pronto transporte.

Las lesiones que traía eran evidentemente críticas. El niño venía bastante sedado, con propio pulso, pero debía ser ventilado manualmente por el tubo insertado en su tráquea. Durante el traslado, la condición del niño no varió, y fue ingresado rápidamente a la sala de shock del Hospital de Niños.

Al día de hoy, el niño continúa profundamente sedado. Su prognosis es muy reservada.

Wednesday, January 25th 2006:

Continuing a series of regretful incidents nation-wide, where in less than a week there have been 3 attacks by dogs against people, a 7 year-old boy was brutally attacked by 3 Rottweiler dogs that inflicted severe injuries to him. The attack happened in Los Cocos neighborhood, in the province of Limon.

Once the neighbors witnesses of the attack were able to free the kid from the dogs, they took him on a cab to Hospital Tony Facio. There, medics realized the kid was in cardiac arrest, and had to execute a traqueothomy, since que dogs had caused a serious laceration to the traquea and esophagus, making it impossible to intubate.

An airplane from Public Security was promptly coordinate to fly to Limon, so the kid could be brought by air to the capital city, specifically, to the Children's Hospital.

We were dispatched to first go to this hospital to pick up Dr. Marco Vargas and 2 nurses along with him. Then we headed towards the airport, to wait for the airplance with the critically injured boy. We waited for some 20 minutes. Finally, the airplane arrived and we loaded de boy inside our ambulance.

The kid came deeply sedated, with own pulse, but had to be manually ventilated with the tube inserted through this traquea. During transport, his condition did not change, and once in the Hospital was quickly entered inside shock room.

As of today, he remains continously sedated. His prognosis is very reserved.

05:
Luis Ángel
Liz
Kondor
Dr. Marco Vargas
2 enfermeras HNN

Incendio en la Capital (Fire in Downtown)

Viernes 20 de Enero, 2006:

Cerca de las 11pm, un incendio empezó a consumir las instalaciones de un negocio en el centro de capital, el edificio que antiguamente era la Imprenta Nacional.

El fuego en sí era bastante imponente, ante lo cual rápidamente iniciaron los bomberos acciones para combatirlo y evitar que destruyera más locales.

Nuestra intervención fue bastante pasiva. Solamente teníamos que esperar que algún bombero o particular, afectado por el humo, llegara a nuestras ambulacias para ser atendido. Sin embargo, eso no impidió que nosotros mismos tuviéramos que soportar el implacable humo que se desplazaba frecuentemente hacia donde estábamos nosotros, o las nubes de ceniza que caían de vez en cuando justo donde estaban las ambulancias.

A la par del local comercial que se incendiaba había un hotel, repleto de turistas, los cuales fueron prontamente evacuados por los bomberos apenas inició la emergencia.

Al final, los daños materiales fueron cuantiosos, las pérdidas de mercadería millonarias, pero nadie sufrió los efectos del fuego en su salud.

Friday, January 20th 2006:

Around 23.00 hours, a fire started inside a business downtown San José, a building that was previously the National Press.

The fire was pretty bad, with flames as high as 4 floors high. The firemen started attacking quickly the fire, to avoid it spreading to nearby buildings.

Our job was very passive. We only had to wait for a firefighter or another person to come to our ambulances with respiratory problems because of the smoke. However, we had to withstand also the huge amount of smoke that was invading our space, and the clouds of ashes that came along.

Just beside the burning building, there was a hotel loaded with foreign turists, who were quickly evacuated by the firefighters as soon as the emergency began.

Finally, there was a lot of property damage, millionare loss of merchandise of the business that burnt, but noone suffered in own health the severe effects of fire or smoke inhalation.

05:
Diego
Miranda
2 estudiantes TEM

10:
Sojo
Cuecha
Kondor

02:
Cascante
Paulo
Leo

Abuelo Agredido (Grandpa Attacked)

Miércoles 18 de Enero 2006:

En altas horas de la noche, fuimos despachados para atender un masculino agredido. Los detalles del suceso son bastante singulares.

Varios hampones, aprovechando la protección de la noche, decidieron introducirse a asaltar en una compañía, donde quien cuidaba era un guarda de 70 años de edad. Es curioso cómo una empresa tiene como guarda de seguridad a un señor de tan avanzada edad, pues es evidente que sus capacidades físicas para ejercitar este tipo de trabajos son inadecuadas, y como sucedió en este caso, los hampones redujeron fácilmente a la impotencia al señor. Éstos golpearon repetidamente en el rostro, lo amordazaron y amarraron, y finalmente lo encerraron en un baño para proceder a robarse un auto BMW.

El problema de salud no solamente se debía al los golpes faciles que le propinaron al señor, sino que éste padece de artritis, y la posición de tener los brazos atados atrás en su espalda le complicó aún más el mal que padece. Como consecuencia, el paciente sufría de terribles dolores en sus articulaciones, aún más que en su rostro, el cual estaba bastante golpeado.

A la llegada a escena, ya la Fuerza Pública se encontraba custodiando el lugar, por lo que la escena estaba segura para nuestro ingreso. Nada que hacer en el lugar, el paciente lo que necesitaba era atención hospitalaria, para descartar lesiones graves en su cara y para aliviar el terrible dolor que sufría el abuelo.

Según éste, estuvo amarrado y encerrado desde las 9 de la noche, hasta las 3 de la mañana, cuando fue atendido.

Wednesday, January 18th 2006:

Late in the night, we were dispatched to assisst a masculine who has apparently attacked. The details of this incident are very particular.

Various burglars, taking advantage of the protection of the night, decided to introduce themselves to rob a business, which was being guarded by a 70 year-old man. It is curious how a company can have such an old man providing security to their facilities, since it is evident that his physical condition is completely inadecuate for this type of job, and as happened in this case, the burglars were able to easily neutralize the 70 year-old security officer. They beated him repeatedly on his face, gagged, tied and locked inside a bathroom. Then, they stole a BMW from the company's carlot.

The patients problem was not only the facial traumas. The buggest problem was that he has arthritis, and having this arms tied behind his back worsened the problem. As consequence, the granpa suffered terrible pain on this joints.

When we arrived at the scene, the police was already protecting the place, so it was safe to enter the place. There was nothing useful to do there, the patient needed hospital treatment, to discard or confirm serious facial lesions and to alleviate the horrible pain he was suffering.

According to what the patient said, he was tied and locked up since 9pm until 3am, when we attended him.

476:
Carballo
Monge
Kondor