Sunday, September 11, 2011

Day #334 Epi Pens

I’d like to use today’s post to teach you how to use an epi pen. Ten years ago, a number of very brave people worked around the clock for days trying to rescue as many people as they could from the Twin Towers. I honor those people, and I’d like to do what I can to help you respond to a much smaller scale emergency situation, but one in which you could save a life.

An epi pen is a contraption about the size of a hot dog. Its purpose is to flood the body of a person who is having a severe allergic reaction with epinephrine, a drug that speeds up the heart rate and helps to keep the airways open so the person won’t suffocate.

Here’s what to do:
o   Open the plastic case and pull out the “hot dog”
o   Flip open the blue safety seal on the top of the epi pen
o   Do not touch the bright orange section on the other end. That’s where the needle is.
o   Jam the orange end HARD (REALLY HARD) against the front of the patient’s thigh to trigger the needle
o   Hold the “hot dog” in place for 10 seconds so the pen can inject the necessary dose.
o   Remove it and gently massage the spot for another 10 seconds.
o   Call 911.
o   When help arrives, show them the epi pen.


BEEattitude for Day # 334:
       Blessed are those who go out of their way to help others, for they shall sleep well at night.

__________________________
Green as a Garden Hose, the 3rd Biscuit McKee Mystery,
is now available in mass market paperback
from World Wide Mystery, a division of Harlequin.
(Go to www.eHarlequin.com and search for Fran Stewart)
_______________________________
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If you win, your dog will be in my next Biscuit McKee mystery!
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2 comments:

Jamey said...

I just read your Facebook post on the Gwinnett Beekeepers Club. I'm sorry to hear that you're going to have to give up beekeeping...but it's understanable given your reaction to this last bee sting. I'm know someone in the club will be able to give your hives a good home.

Did you have to use your EpiPen? (I hope not!) I bought an EpiPen when I started my Top-Bar Hive in April...just in case. I considered it 'insurance'. It's sitting in the bathroom cupboard - hopefully it'll never need to be used.

Fran Stewart said...

If you need it, Jamey, you might not have time to get to your bathroom cupboard. I'd suggest putting it in your pocket when you work your hives.

I didn't have to use the pen, but I have no intention of getting to the point where I have to.

My hand actually got a lot worse than that picture in yesterday's blogpost. The swelling was so severe it's bruised my knuckles.