Honoring the lifesaving actions of first responders
BACKGROUND: It began with a call to respond to a shooting in early August. When paramedics and firefighters arrived at the scene, they found 26-year-old Tobias Walker in his front lawn, bleeding profusely from a gunshot wound that had entered his neck and exited his back. That much bleeding can quickly prove fatal. The quick actions of these professionals saved Mr. Walker’s life. While these paramedics and firefighters are trained to save lives, their actions were noteworthy for a couple of reasons.
The quick actions of these professionals saved Mr. Walker’s life. While these paramedics and firefighters are trained to save lives, their actions were noteworthy for a couple of reasons.
- First, the seriousness of the bleeding required an unusual amount of hemorrhage control to keep Mr. Walker alive until his injury could be repaired by trauma surgeons.
- Second, the skills they used to slow his blood loss are the same as those that the Stop the Bleed campaign is teaching members of the community. In a mass casualty incident or other emergency, bystanders can keep a seriously bleeding person alive until help arrives.
On Monday, University Hospital’s trauma team will honor these first responders for their actions. The event will take place before the regular Stop the Bleed class, held the first Monday of each month at University Hospital. The patient, Tobias Walker, will also be on hand to thank these first responders for the first time.
WHO:
Dr. Brian Eastridge, chief of trauma and emergency surgery at University Hospital, professor of surgery, UT Health San Antonio
San Antonio Fire Department Deputy Chief Yvette Granato, Emergency Services
San Antonio EMS paramedics Kip Hanson and Chris Young, and SAFD firefighters Carlos Meza, Jose A. Martinez, Anthony Salazar and Rafael Reyes
Tobias Walker, patient
WHEN:
3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6
WHERE:
University Hospital lobby, 4502 Medical Drive
