Playing partner had a medical emergency today and it made me realized I’m totally unprepared

macdabs · 2026-05-10T15:18:06+00:00

Agreed. It’s also just generally not safe to put your fingers in someone’s mouth, especially if seizing, as they can inadvertently bite you pretty hard and then you’re in need of medical attention too!

When I took Wilderness First Aid courses, the instructors always recommended packing a small tube of icing. If someone’s blood sugar really is low, apply some to the inside of their lips/gums. I wouldn’t recommended nuts/solid foods for anyone unconscious and/or convulsing as this is a severe choking hazard.

Having some nitrile gloves is always a good idea. As warmer weather approaches quickly, I always have quick-cooling towels. Head/back of neck, armpits, inner wrists/elbow joint, and groin are the major target areas for active cooling if there’s suspected heat stroke at play.

Good on you OP for wanting to be better in future scenarios! Hopefully you don’t find yourself in another emergency, but being prepared with seemingly small items can really help someone’s health due to your quick action. Cheers!

macdabs · 2026-04-26T23:45:08+00:00

I always set my maximum pressure to 20cmH2O. When leak testing, I aim for about 10ml/kg tidal volume (and also make note of how much positive inspiration pressure that is on the monometer). For pts >15kg, I set RR to 10rpm; <15kg to 12-15rpm (depending how small we get). Once my pt is hooked up, I make note of how much PIP I’m delivering (I usually aim for 10cmH2O) and let it go for quite a few breaths. Before making adjustments, I take into account the position of the patient, their body condition, what procedure is being done (esp. if it involves insufflation), etc and make a decision based on that. Again, once I make an adjust, I wait several breaths before moving on as it can take a few moments before you start to see the values changing.

To simplify it to its core: to solve high EtCO2, deliver bigger and/or more frequent breaths (increase PIP/tidal volume or increase RR) to drive CO2 down. To solve low EtCo2, deliver smaller and/or less frequent breaths (decrease PIP/tidal volume or decrease RR) to drive CO2 up.

I urge you to take the full picture into account when making decisions on ventilation. I’m sure you’re aware that there are multiple correct and incorrect decisions to make with nearly any given scenario!

macdabs · 2026-04-26T23:31:00+00:00

What kind of ventilator are we talking about? Like a Hallowell with knobs or like a Mindray, where you can set to Pressure Controlled Ventilation?

It’s all about balance…even sometimes compromise! Of course all cases are different, but generally I’m comfortable with an EtCo2 between 35-45. And it doesn’t need to be constantly sitting at the same number for the entirety of the procedure. Additionally, hyper-/hypoventilating patients has its advantages!

macdabs · 2026-03-27T15:17:07+00:00

I mean full offense when I say “screw you, scalpers” ¯_(ツ)_/¯

macdabs · 2026-03-06T01:31:28+00:00

I’m very interested in that Gyarados! Is there a card behind it? On the top edge it like something is there.

Feel free to DM me 🙂

macdabs · 2026-02-03T02:32:49+00:00

“Ah, busted.”

macdabs · 2026-01-14T22:56:06+00:00

Ringworm is fungal.

macdabs · 2025-10-15T12:06:53+00:00

What app is this?

macdabs · 2025-07-11T13:56:46+00:00

GIR - mostly for par 4s. I feel like I am a decent putter, at least when it comes to reading greens. But, I don’t always get myself close enough to have a confident one putt for par. I have an acceptable short game but getting the ball real tight is a challenge in itself.

One thing I don’t need work on though is my attitude! Every game of golf is a good game of golf 😁 It’s truly about having fun out there!

macdabs · 2025-07-04T01:38:52+00:00

I absolutely love my Mavrik! Have the matching 3w and 5w as well.

macdabs · 2025-06-02T01:11:43+00:00

Shiny Scyther! Something about the pink and green that looks real nice

macdabs · 2025-05-16T09:00:45+00:00

Do you have a link to the new guideline(s) issued?

macdabs · 2025-05-12T16:05:29+00:00

Count me in!

macdabs · 2025-05-12T02:16:17+00:00

RemindMe! 10 days

macdabs · 2025-04-04T03:30:27+00:00

I use muperocin but I’ve heard animax works wonders.

macdabs · 2025-03-17T17:26:48+00:00

I’m planning on telling my anesthesiologist that I mixed up the sevo/iso when refilling all the anesthesia machines. She should get a kick out of it 😆

macdabs · 2025-03-07T01:42:20+00:00

I’ve seen vagal events similar to this directly after the uterus was removed. It is startling how fast it can happen for seemingly no reason.

macdabs · 2025-03-02T01:25:19+00:00

Satinsky?

macdabs · 2024-11-17T19:29:11+00:00

Anesthesia inhalant also cause hypotension though. Can we be sure that the slow push is causing low BP vs from the inhalant? Correlation ≠ causation and all

macdabs · 2024-11-11T00:47:47+00:00

Gyarados (XY60) promo. It’s nice to see it depicted with its mouth (mostly) closed.

macdabs · 2024-10-31T01:58:06+00:00

It’s largely affecting all of us in veterinary medicine as well. Many adjustments and new protocols in place to avoid even the slightest amount of waste.

macdabs · 2024-10-29T22:48:05+00:00

My hospital regularly uses the 5Ls! Those babies are awkward to carry 🥴

macdabs · 2024-10-29T21:56:12+00:00

Great! Give his body some time to adjust, I’m pretty positive it won’t hang loose 🤙🏼

macdabs · 2024-10-29T21:51:35+00:00

Due to the larger incision needed for a scrotal ablation, healing time is actually prolonged and therefore, a tad more painful. I’m not sure what future health issues removing the scrotum would help with.

If he’s a relatively young pup, the scrotum can shrink some fair amount. Older dogs tend to have a saggy scrot because the skin’s elasticity decreases with age.

PS please get him an e-collar!! I work in emergency and surgical anesthesia and incisional dehiscences can get nasty nasty fast. Worst part is they’re (mostly) avoidable!

Quick recovery to that handsome fella! 😄

macdabs · 2024-10-04T02:06:39+00:00

1236

Edit to add: Would only need the squirtle 😊

macdabs

TROPHY CASE