Did he have a stroke, did you?

[weekender]

Subject: FW: STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters...


STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters...







STROKE IDENTIFICATION:My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word, I agreed. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks. Seriously .


During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the afternoon. Ingrid's husband called later saying that his wife had been taken to the hospital and passed away. She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some stroke victims don't die, they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.




It only takes a minute to read this...A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within three hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke . . totally. He said the trick was having a stroke recognized, diagnosed and then getting the patient medically cared for within three hours, which is tough.




RECOGNIZING A STROKE:


Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.


Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK, to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE. (Coherently) (i.e. . It is sunny out today)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue . if the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

If he or she has trouble with any one of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to ten people, you can bet at least one life will be saved.

[divemaster]

this is a good post I think most people don't know what to look for and this will help them I did know this already from medic/first aid training but it doesn't hurt to read again.

[anthony]

This is a great post and everyone needs to take heed, especially charter captains and mates. I had an elderly gentleman pass out in my cockpit last week and it scared the sh** out of me. I was lucky to have a fireman with EMT training on board, but this info would have helped...especially if no one else on the boat had any medical training!

Thanks for the post.

[BTH284]

Good tip, Never can learn enough about First Aid. You just never know!

[weekender]

hopefully the info will help someone. I had the unfortunate experience of, without any training, trying to do CRP on my Dad after he had a fatal heartattack while suba diving. It's a bad feeling to want to help and not know how. I have now taken CPR serveral times in hopes that should the need arise, I will be ready next time.

[Proheat]

Weekender- Thanks for the info- Something simple like the STR signs can make all the difference in whether you live or die and also getting prompt medical attention.

Thanks Again.

[sea scape]

This is really great information.. I know someone who has had a stroke and because the symptoms were reconized he has no damage from it. Great post, thanks!

[Capt. Brian Daley]

Great INFO here

[Blue Flyer]

Thanks for the post, if only more people would pass along important tips like those we could all live happier longer lives. Sorry to hear about your friend, its truly a tragedy when you dont catch those slight seemingly invisible signs that could save someones life, especially if you dont know what you are looking for!

Thanks again,

[gottaflylee]

Great post! As a charter Capt. I (we) a huge responsibility to try and keep all our passengers safe and alive till we get back to the dock. I know some Capts. that have lost people to heart attacks and it affects them greatly, which is why it is so important for us to have CPR & first aid. I think sea sickness is another illness that is over looked by us all sometimes and although may not be fatal it can lead to something else that can from the stress of it. We had a passenger last Friday on the way to the stream that I took back to the dock after I found out he was sea sick on the way out. We had only gone 15 miles. I looked at him and he was white and pasty with shallower breathing than normal. I had rather be safe than sorry and not have him to worry about him. THERE IS NO 911, 60 MILES OFF SHORE!!! That is why I have a safety talk with them at the dock before each trip, asking if there are any medical conditions I should know about and tell them " DO NOT TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM" It could be you last. Thanks for the great post again. Gottaflylee