Everyone can benefit from first-aid training

Thomas Healing

Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 | 1 a.m.

Thomas Healing

As I drove to work Sept. 29, I happened upon a tragic accident only a minute or so after it occurred. A motorcycle rider had been cut off by another motorist who was making a left turn, and the motorcycle struck the vehicle broadside. Being a Good Samaritan, I stopped to help. He was neither conscious nor breathing, and the force of the impact had apparently broken his helmet and torn it from his head.

By using some simple basic emergency techniques and with the assistance of a few brave people who decided to help, I was able to safely roll him onto his back and open his airway, which allowed him to spontaneously gasp for air and begin breathing again on his own. The rider was severely injured, but the Henderson Fire and Police departments responded very quickly and were able to take over and provide a much higher level of care than any of us on scene could have provided.

I thank all the emergency medical training I have had over the last two years. Without that training I would not have known what to do. I took it upon myself to seek out the training, and I highly encourage everyone to do the same.

There are several to choose from, such as basic CPR and First Responder Certifications, to EMT and Paramedic level courses. The moral of the story is you don't need to be in the public safety field to be thrust into a situation that may necessitate a rapid and knowledgeable response.

And lastly, please watch out for those motorcycle riders! There's nothing between them and the pavement except a thin layer of clothing and a plastic helmet.

Sept. 18

Officer Woolsey makes contact with a woman along the 900 block of Nevada Way. When Woolsey attempts to identify the woman — who is drinking a large can of beer — she refuses to provide identification and attempts to push him away. After she resists Woolsey's attempts to detain her for her own safety, she is arrested for obstructing, resisting and disorderly conduct.

Sept. 19

Officer Salazar stops a vehicle along the 1100 block of Nevada Highway for speeding. Through his investigation Salazar determines that the driver is intoxicated, has been using marijuana and is in possession of illicit narcotics, drug paraphernalia and a loaded firearm — all while being under the influence of a controlled substance. The driver is arrested and transported without incident.

Sept. 20

Officers from the Days One shift respond to the alleyway between Avenue D and Avenue F for a report of an intoxicated subject. Upon arrival, officers locate a man barely able to stand and unable to take care of himself. After an unsuccessful attempt to contact a responsible person to release the man to, he is arrested for public drunkenness and transported to Henderson City Jail.

Sept. 21

K-9 Officer Daly stops a vehicle on U.S. 95 at mile marker 42. Through his investigation, Daly discovers that the driver is in possession of marijuana and other drugs that, by statute, are not to be introduced into interstate commerce.

The driver is then arrested and transported to the Henderson City Jail.

Weekly Statistics

Incident Reports — 40

Traffic Stops — 264

Citations Issued — 166

Adult Arrests — 20

Juvenile Arrests — 0

Animal Control Calls — 87