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Isa
It certainly can be.
posted by
avant-garde
on June 18, 2006 at 3:52 AM
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samhain
There's no need to go into it. Those of us who have been there know. Thanks.
posted by
avant-garde
on June 18, 2006 at 3:51 AM
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Trevor
Thanks. I was having a vivid recollection when I wrote it. Thanks for the kind words.
posted by
avant-garde
on June 18, 2006 at 3:51 AM
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thanks for sharing this...
i never experienced this...looks scary:(
posted by
Marshallengraved
on June 18, 2006 at 1:38 AM
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Avant – this speaks to me in myriad and profound ways which I will not go into – a profound piece of writing – a profound service to humanity – all coupled with your profound reverence for truth/life/being. Samhain_Moon 
posted by
syzygy
on June 17, 2006 at 9:16 PM
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this was so vivid it was scary. I admire your work, avant. My mother used to work in an ER, and I know how emotionally hard such work is for empathetic souls.
for you, the boy, and his family...
posted by
Trevor_Cunnington
on June 17, 2006 at 7:57 PM
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Whacky
Yes. Once you hear it, you realize you've never heard it before.
posted by
avant-garde
on June 17, 2006 at 7:01 PM
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Bright Irish
Thank you for a wonderful comment. We don't get thanked nearly enough.
posted by
avant-garde
on June 17, 2006 at 7:01 PM
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Blanche
He DID die. We got him back in the truck, but his pupils were fixed and dilated. He was brain dead. I heard later that he lasted but a short while at the hospital.
posted by
avant-garde
on June 17, 2006 at 7:00 PM
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Avant-Garde,
A person can only take so much. That is documented by a stress test called "The Holmes Life Stress Test". Witnessing an event like that must be off the charts. I am so relieved to re-read it and realize that he did not die. The choking game? Is that autoerotoasphyxiation? What a weird, weird world.
I am so relieved for you that your faith is a comfort and that you have removed yourself from having to witness such scenes on a daily basis.
posted by
Blanche.
on June 17, 2006 at 4:44 PM
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I'll never forget a scream I heard while I was in the ER with my mom.
I don't know exactly where it came from...but it was bone chilling.
posted by
Whacky
on June 17, 2006 at 3:06 PM
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avant-garde
It must be very difficult to experience crisis day after day and I agree that a visceral scream is heard a long time after you are gone from the scene. I tend to be somewhat like Wiley.. I am good in crisis situations and when necessary I will stay on top of things nomatter how long it may take but when the crisis has passed all the emotion comes to the surface and I am left exhausted. You do a great and needed service for humanity and I really do acknowledge your bravery and commend you for your efforts. 
posted by
BrightIrish
on June 17, 2006 at 12:55 PM
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Blanche
I've gotten away from that area and those types of calls, for the most part. I still see stuff, but my faith has increased and it doesn't bother me as it used to.
I'm not sure that boy wasn't playing 'the choking game' by himself.
posted by
avant-garde
on June 17, 2006 at 12:15 PM
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Wiley
It's hard to foresee what to do in any situation. We are trained, but even then the emotions get in the way.
posted by
avant-garde
on June 17, 2006 at 12:13 PM
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naorem
A day in the life of my chosen occupation...
posted by
avant-garde
on June 17, 2006 at 12:12 PM
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Ariala
It is incredibly stressful. It manifests in different people in different ways. I became very paranoid of people, especially certain types of people.
posted by
avant-garde
on June 17, 2006 at 12:12 PM
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Avant-Garde,
What desperation drove that boy to suicide, who can say? But the horror of it is that everyone who witnessed it, you, his family, neighbors will carry that sight with them forever. I so wish you comfort and peace in your spirit. I hope you start your herb and book store, far, far away from scenes like that one.
posted by
Blanche.
on June 17, 2006 at 10:31 AM
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avant-garde
An awesome blog my friend, you are blessed to be able to help folks like that.
You know, I helped a few times in car and truck accidents and when the 'real' skilled helpers like you came along, I always started to shake and have tremendous anxiety.
What is that shock? Like I always stopped, did what I could and then whammo, I was out of it.
posted by
WileyJohn
on June 17, 2006 at 10:25 AM
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never thought of such post from you dear
posted by
naorem
on June 17, 2006 at 7:30 AM
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avant, that must be one of the biggest horrors of your work...I must say
your writing here was incredible...I felt the panic, the rush to get there, the desperation of everyone watching and working...the universe and God hear it all, too.
posted by
Ariala
on June 17, 2006 at 7:24 AM
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