Man Fitting in Co-Op

[Djmiles]

Went to my local Co-op in Aberystwyth a couple of hours ago, and found a man having quite a bad fit in one of the Aisles. I was the first person to see him, and I had absolutely no idea what to do. My friend called the Ambulance while I made sure he didnt hit anything hard when he was fitting.

Was about 2 minutes before a first-aider came along, and another 2 minutes until the Ambulance finally arrived.

My question is, would you have any idea what to do if you were in my position? I did a first aid course about 4 years ago, but had no idea to do when it came to fitting.

The man is alright, he got taken to the hospital by the paramedics who were very helpful!

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Yes, but then a relative of mine suffers from epilepsy. I didn't know what to do the first time when I stumbled across this relative fitting (I had no idea they were epileptic). A bitten tongue meant blood frothing from the mouth. I thought they were going to die I was due to leave for my Gap Year two days later and almost did not get on the plane.

Well done for keeping your cool. Hitting something can often be the most dangerous part of the actual fitting.

 

[Starry]

yes i would.

i wish some sort of first aid/lifesaver course was taught in schools as standard.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Went to my local Co-op in Aberystwyth a couple of hours ago, and found a man having quite a bad fit in on of the Aisles. I was the first person to see him, and I had absolutely no idea what to do. My friend called the Ambulance while I made sure he didnt hit anything hard when he was fitting.

Was about 2 minutes before a first-aider came along, and another 2 minutes until the Ambulance finally arrived.

My question is, would you have any idea what to do if you were in my position?

Yes indeed. I'd move from Aberystwyth.

 

[Horsham Gull]

yes i would i also have a first aid training as part of my job

 

[zefarelly]

Yes indeed. I'd move from Aberystwyth.

to be fair it could happen to anyone, both the fit, and Co-Op, as well as a good reaction to the event as it where.

I can't think of any valid reason for living in Aberystwyth however

 

[Djmiles]

to be fair it could happen to anyone, both the fit, and Co-Op, as well as a good reaction to the event as it where.

I can't think of any valid reason for living in Aberystwyth however

It's not too bad, I do miss things like a DECENT cinema, Albion games being less than 3 hours travelling away, some high street shops etc etc.

Lovely place, but I'm not sure if I could live here for the rest of my life as all there is do is go out and get drunk!

 

[Dave the OAP]

Yes I am a trained first aider

 

[Gully]

Yes, am trained in first aid, also have experience of people with epilepsy...first time I saw someone have a fit was when I was about 13 yrs old, nearly shit myself, after that it became second nature to offer assistance.

Good work Djmiles.

 

[Happy Seagull]

I'd have gone for the wallet.

 

[NMH]

Been there and done that, and basically all you can do at the time is make sure they are laying down, that they can't bash their head (I put a jumper under him), or bite or swallow their tongue.

 

[Bry Nylon]

All you can really do is keep their airway clear (have a good fish around inside for tongue / dislodged dentures / chewing gum etc); make sure they don't whack their head on anything and keep talking to them (using their name if you can find out what it is) and telling them everything will be okay.

Sounds like you did good

 

[Djmiles]

yes i would.

i wish some sort of first aid/lifesaver course was taught in schools as standard.

First Aid was compulsary at Haywards Heath College, but you just learn basic stuff like DR ABC, recovery position etc etc.

 

[Djmiles]

All you can really do is keep their airway clear (have a good fish around inside for tongue / dislodged dentures / chewing gum etc); make sure they don't whack their head on anything and keep talking to them (using their name if you can find out what it is) and telling them everything will be okay.

Sounds like you did good

He couldn't respond to anything for about 3/4 minutes after he stopped fitting, I'm not sure if that's normal or not.

Felt so helpless though, by the sounds of it there wasn't a lot I could have done, but was horrible not being able to do anything constructive to help him, if that makes sense.

 

[Clothes Peg]

I got qualified in First Aid last month. There's not a lot you can do in that situation. It's a dangerous myth that you should give them a wooden spoon to bite on, as this is more likely to cause dental and max-fac injuries.

 

[Bozza]

yes i would.

i wish some sort of first aid/lifesaver course was taught in schools as standard.

I believe they taught it in public schools after pony trekking.

 

[Dr Q]

Lovely place, but I'm not sure if I could live here for the rest of my life as all there is do is go out and get drunk!

Is the correct answer, was there nearly 20 years ago at uni (Geology which they don't even teach now) and that was about all there was to do, which wasn't a bad thing!

 

[Djmiles]

Is the correct answer, was there nearly 20 years ago at uni (Geology which they don't even teach now) and that was about all there was to do, which wasn't a bad thing!

They do Environmental Earth Science, which is 90% Geology, but mixed in with a couple of Geography modules.

Which halls did you stay in?

 

[Bry Nylon]

He couldn't respond to anything for about 3/4 minutes after he stopped fitting, I'm not sure if that's normal or not.

Felt so helpless though, by the sounds of it there wasn't a lot I could have done, but was horrible not being able to do anything constructive to help him, if that makes sense.

Yes, it takes a few minutes after the fit subsides for the casualty to 'come round' again, and often they have little or no recollection of what has just happened, and usually feel quite embarrassed to find a crowd of people gathered around them. They don't just stop fitting, leap to their feet and carry on as normal, so don't worry.

And it is f***ing scary. I remember the first 'fitting' incident I attended. It was at a country fete, and some bloke dressed as a medievil jouster came running over and asked us to come and help a guy who had collapsed. When we got there, he (a man in his mid 20s) was convulsing uncontrollably on the deck and froathing at the mouth. After a few minutes he stabilised, and his dad appeared with a can of Stella from the beer tent and started pouring them into his son's mouth...

"What on earth are you doing!?!" I asked.
"He's a recovering alcoholic," he replied. "But he hasn't taken his medication today. He needs alcohol in his bloodstream to sort him out."

Well, I'm no doctor, but in minutes the bloke was right as rain!

 

[Braders]

I honestly wouldn't have a clue what to do other then to find the nearest first aider sharpish (which is easier said then done , as i probably would want to stay with the person but would need to help them )