Laurie4b Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 "The intern who helped treat Rep. Gabrielle Giffords after she was shot told Fox News on Sunday that the tragic shooting in Tucson shouldn't deter elected officials from serving the public. Hernandez, who had been helping with Giffords' public event on Saturday, helped treat Giffords by applying cloths to her wounds and keeping her upright until paramedics arrived" http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/01/09/intern-may-have-helped-save-giffords-life Why would it have been important to keep her upright? I read that the bullet entered a temple and exited through her forehead. I'm interested from a first aid standpoint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I'll have to ask dd, the paramedic, when she gets here but I suspect that it has to do with diverting blood to help prevent blood loss and brain swelling. But, I am absolutely not the medical person. She's been through her neurology/trauma course already and has dealt with a head wound during one of her ambulance runs, so I will definitely ask her when she gets off shift. Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I didn't realized she had died. That's so horrible and sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Basic first aid: elevate and apply direct pressure to any bleeding wound. You want it above the heart so that blood exits less readily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I didn't realized she had died. That's so horrible and sad. :confused: I just read a news posting from 1/2 an hour ago that said she was communicating, but still in critical condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 Keeping her upright can also help to decrease pressure in the brain and facilitate breathing. In some situations though such as suspected spinal trauma, you would not want to do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 I heard a phone interview with the intern. He said he had some experience in triage/first aid. He also said the reason he held her upright was to help with her breathing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 She's alive. The question assumes that she might have died if she hadn't been kept upright. I think it is more likely she is alive since the bullet damaged 1 hemisphere of the brain, not 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 ahhh got it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted January 9, 2011 Share Posted January 9, 2011 She's alive. The question assumes that she might have died if she hadn't been kept upright. I think it is more likely she is alive since the bullet damaged 1 hemisphere of the brain, not 2. The whole incident is quite unbelievable, but the fact that she's survived this long is amazing. I will admit -- and I don't mean to be cruel here -- when I first heard "shot in the head," I thought that was it, that she was dead or would be quickly. So very few people ever survive a head shot (when it actually penetrates the skull). I will keep hope that she has good prospects for a recovery that includes as much functionality as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 Thanks for the answers about the bleeding and breathing. When is being upright better for breathing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 I think I read he was worried about her choking because of all the bleeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ELaurie Posted January 11, 2011 Share Posted January 11, 2011 I think I read he was worried about her choking because of all the bleeding. That's what I read too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted January 11, 2011 Author Share Posted January 11, 2011 Thanks. I'm trying to learn in case there was ever a need for that knowledge someday--but hope not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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