Deputy revives accident victim

[Apollo8138]

When a car hit Eric Eaton in Dania Beach, a passerby rushed to check on him. She thought the 78-year-old man was dead and threw a blanket over him.

But he wasn't.

Broward Sheriff's Office Deputy Tina Lacertosa, who arrived at the scene in the 800 block of Sheridan Street moments later, figured she should check for herself.

First she called for paramedics, then she pulled the blanket off Eaton, who was bleeding profusely from his head and was not breathing.

But Lacertosa thought she felt a pulse, so she started CPR, said BSO spokesman Jim Leljedal.

Eaton, visiting family in Dania Beach, was soon breathing on his own. ''Lo and behold, he was actually breathing before paramedics arrived,'' Leljedal said.

Eaton, who was jogging, was crossing the street in a crosswalk at 8:50 a.m. when he was struck by a westbound 2006 Mercedes-Benz driven by Blake Levy of Hallandale Beach, Leljedal said.

The passerby witnessed the accident and ran over, Leljedal said. The woman, who said she was a medical professional :rolleyes: , told Lacertosa she checked Eaton and determined he was dead. The woman had a blanket and had thrown it over Eaton, Leljedal said.

Paramedics took Eaton to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. Family members told Lacertosa that Eaton is improving.

Lacertosa will be nominated for the lifesaving award, which is given out twice a year, Leljedal said. BSO is still investigating the accident.

Source

[mobrien316]

who said she was a medical professional

A firefighter, police officer, or any other first responder is better able to deal with on-scene trauma than your average doctor or other "medical professional."

If a doctor or nurse is experienced in working in the emergency room they will probably know what to do at the scene of a serious MVA. Other than that they are little better than any other untrained passerby who stops to help.

[Hockey9019]

A firefighter, police officer, or any other first responder is better able to deal with on-scene trauma than your average doctor or other "medical professional."

If a doctor or nurse is experienced in working in the emergency room they will probably know what to do at the scene of a serious MVA. Other than that they are little better than any other untrained passerby who stops to help.

+1 Exactly

[LA5150]

An experienced medical professional? :rolleyes:

That could mean most anything. She probably changes bedpans or something.

[Movementarian]

The woman, who said she was a medical professional...

She's been a candystriper for at least 6 months. :rolleyes:

[Baz]

Its a good thing that Deputy had the right mind to check for herself... She could get in a world of trouble if she accepted what that "medical professional" said without verifying it. If it was me and somebody told me they are a doctor or a nurse and I later find out they have no pertinent certification what so ever... Guess what they just lied to a LEO and almost cost somebody their life. I would try to get them for obstruction.

Think about it, the last thing I need is somebody lying to me in a situation like that. And as a LEO we are trusting that the people running to come help wold know what they are doing and not just "claim" to be doctors or nurses. I mean for gods sakes we verify when someone says they are an off duty LEO when they come to a scene by showing us a badge... Don't you think "medical professionals" should have to show some form of medical ID (like having a badge) proving that they are somebody who can actually help somebody in trauma. It would save LEOs alot of headaches by getting the wannabe doctors away from hurt people that need real doctors. Look at all the wannabe cops, firemen, doctors, etc... You think they care about truely being helpful? No way, they are there for the spotlight and attention... Again, its about trusting the public and unfortunately there are alot of nutcases out there. Don't you think we should safeguard defenseless accident victims against such a person trying to "pernounce them dead" or "treat" them?

[Paul Hartwig]

Its a good thing that Deputy had the right mind to check for herself... She could get in a world of trouble if she accepted what that "medical professional" said without verifying it. If it was me and somebody told me they are a doctor or a nurse and I later find out they have no pertinent certification what so ever... Guess what they just lied to a LEO and almost cost somebody their life. I would try to get them for obstruction.

Think about it, the last thing I need is somebody lying to me in a situation like that. And as a LEO we are trusting that the people running to come help wold know what they are doing and not just "claim" to be doctors or nurses. I mean for gods sakes we verify when someone says they are an off duty LEO when they come to a scene by showing us a badge... Don't you think "medical professionals" should have to show some form of medical ID (like having a badge) proving that they are somebody who can actually help somebody in trauma. It would save LEOs alot of headaches by getting the wannabe doctors away from hurt people that need real doctors. Look at all the wannabe cops, firemen, doctors, etc... You think they care about truely being helpful? No way, they are there for the spotlight and attention... Again, its about trusting the public and unfortunately there are alot of nutcases out there. Don't you think we should safeguard defenseless accident victims against such a person trying to "pernounce them dead" or "treat" them?

right:rolleyes:

[patchcop]

Its a good thing that Deputy had the right mind to check for herself... She could get in a world of trouble if she accepted what that "medical professional" said without verifying it. If it was me and somebody told me they are a doctor or a nurse and I later find out they have no pertinent certification what so ever... Guess what they just lied to a LEO and almost cost somebody their life. I would try to get them for obstruction.

Think about it, the last thing I need is somebody lying to me in a situation like that. And as a LEO we are trusting that the people running to come help wold know what they are doing and not just "claim" to be doctors or nurses. I mean for gods sakes we verify when someone says they are an off duty LEO when they come to a scene by showing us a badge... Don't you think "medical professionals" should have to show some form of medical ID (like having a badge) proving that they are somebody who can actually help somebody in trauma. It would save LEOs alot of headaches by getting the wannabe doctors away from hurt people that need real doctors. Look at all the wannabe cops, firemen, doctors, etc... You think they care about truely being helpful? No way, they are there for the spotlight and attention... Again, its about trusting the public and unfortunately there are alot of nutcases out there. Don't you think we should safeguard defenseless accident victims against such a person trying to "pernounce them dead" or "treat" them?

Great to read that these wannabees are around the world and not only here in Europe

[WhiteLite]

When I ran rescue before I moved, there were several occasions where we were on a call where a "medical professional" was present... usually an LPN... Absolutely worthless in an EMS situation (at least the majority of them, I'm sure somewhere there is an LPN that is knowledgeable, I just haven't met one.) :p
Or the call where the father, (an MD of all things, I don't remember the field,) gave his juvenile son a full amp of epi... yeah.. that was fun. lol.

[Reapp]

But Lacertosa thought she felt a pulse, so she started CPR, said BSO spokesman Jim Leljedal.

Ooops, you don't start CPR on someone with a pulse! :D

[7mmMag]

Ooops, you don't start CPR on someone with a pulse! :D

Newspapers. :rolleyes: I'm sure they meant rescue breathing........I hope.

[Cat_Doc]

Think about it, the last thing I need is somebody lying to me in a situation like that. And as a LEO we are trusting that the people running to come help wold know what they are doing and not just "claim" to be doctors or nurses. I mean for gods sakes we verify when someone says they are an off duty LEO when they come to a scene by showing us a badge...

Just how long have you been a Law Enforcement Officer?

[Baz]

I'm attending State Police academy in May... I'm not pretending to be a LEO, just saying that there is a certain responsibility that the field has "to protect and serve" well don't you think that means protecting the weak and vulnerable involved in a traffic accident from non EMS personnel trying to treat their trauma?

I'm not talking about people running to see whats going on at the scene, i'm talking about somebody who comes there saying they are a doctor or a nurse. If they don't work in the ER, I don't want them touching the victim... Simple as that, besides these days ambulances come pretty fast.

[Cat_Doc]

I'm attending State Police academy in May... I'm not pretending to be a LEO

Well then, you might want to avoid using the word "we" when talking about real law enforcement officers until you "earn your wings." Would you agree with this?

[Baz]

Yeah I see what you mean, In that context I was putting myself in a situation like that and that the last thing anyone needs is a unknown person causing more problems on a scene then there are origionally from the trauma... I don't undrestand it but I have negative 1000 some odd points on my rep, just the other day I had green not red.