Young Writers Society

Hey, anyone know how ambulances work basically? For my story, the main character is rescued from a fire and hence has severe burns. Anyone know what basic things people do in ambulances for patients, especially ones with burns?

I know there's probably oxygen involved but I'm not sure if they would give her drugs or something. I really have no idea.
All in all, thanks for all the help ahead of time!

Two things I know:

1. Mainly they just get the person stabalized. Make sure they're breathing and such.

2. Around here (NH, USA), a lot of towns are actually getting rid of their ambulances to cut costs. (At least that's what my mom said?) So you'd have to drive yourself to the hospital. You can get a police escort so you can speed, but that's it.

*Knows next to nothing*

~JFW1415

The first thing that would be treated would be the shock - that's probably where the oxygen comes in. Depending on how severe the burns are, you would be treated with cooling wraps - think sticky white self-adhesive pads.

I'm only giving you a rough guide based on personal experience here in the UK, but you could perhaps ask someone in the medical field...?


All the best,

Alainna
xxx

http://uuhsc.utah.edu/burncenter/emergencycare/treatment.html

First thing of course is to stop the burning, usually done by firefighters upon initial rescue.

If EMTs or PMTs are on scene then they will take over as soon as the victim is "doused" (put out).

They immediately assess the situation of the victims breathing and will usually provide oxygen if the patient is breathing. If the patient is not breathing then they resuscitate and begin oxygen treatment.

A Saline IV is introduced quickly after breathing has been established or during the initial application of oxygen. This is to restore fluids lost as a result of the burns and heat exposure.

On the trip to the nearest hospital with a trauma center they may begin cleansing and wrapping the most severe exposed wounds first. A saline solution is used to clean the burn area, I'm not sure if they use a burn ointment after the initial cleaning.

Upon arrival to the trauma center they further assess the condition of the patient. Treatment begins and arrangements are made to life flight (if necessary) the patient to a hospital that has a better burn victim center. If not treatment is done in the ER and they are transferred to the ICU for initial recovery.

--My Ex-Sister-in-law is a full time PMT and my brother is a Volunteer Firefighting chief and certified EMT.--

(Also this is only what I can remember from them and may not be wholly accurate.)

However, if he/she is on say the second floor of a two story or larger house and the fire starts on the first floor, according to my brother:

If the person is asleep their lungs would be close to bursting due to the high temperatures caused by the fire below by the time they wake up, if at all.
This would make it nearly impossible for them to run, extremely hard to walk and crawling would still leave them gasping for air.

The floors would also be hot enough (in most cases) that they would actually cause burns.

The air on a second floor can reach close to 500*F before most materials begin to ignite due to ambient heat.

As a side note: Aluminum has begins to melt at 400*F. So if an empty coke can was out and a few minutes have passed it could begin to crumple under the weight of the top of the can.
(It's really odd useless info, but my father has worked for an aluminum manufacturer for 20 years, and I thought that info might give you something to show that it's really hot inside the fire. **little details**)