NEEDLES AND VEINS

I know I said that I wouldn't blog for a while. But this one couldn't wait.

During our safety training today, we had a mandatory combat lifesaver course refresher. Although I have not yet had that training, I plan to do that here at Camp Alamo. In the meantime, I learned how to get an IV started.

I know, the irony is palpable. A lawyer administering first aid. It's even more amazing because of my fear of needles. Every time I get stuck, the nurses are afraid that they're going to have to try and catch me before I hit the floor. It's that bad.

I've tried lately to do things lately that are outside my normal comfort zone. Starting my own law practice, skydiving, joining the army, volunteering to go to a war zone, that kind of thing. I've found that's the best way to push past your fears. Just do whatever it is that scares you.

So you can imagine what's going through my head as I'm being asked whether I want to "stick" someone. My stomach turned at the thought, but I am oddly compelled to try it in order to get over my fear.

As an aside, about a year ago I actually applied for and received financial aid from the Army to take an EMT (emergency medical technician) course. But I had to turn it down after I learned it was four hours a night, four days a week for approximately five months. I just didn't have the time.

So back to the story. I just got through watching someone get stuck before me. Trust me, if you're not a professional, it can get ugly. This is where you might want to stop reading if you're eating, and you'll learn why there are no pictures today.

First, you put on your rubber gloves. Then you take your IV bag and uncork it, so to speak. You make sure you've got a good flow going. Then you unpack your needle, or catheter or whatever they call it. It's a nasty looking device. Maybe about an inch and a half long, with a dagger like end.

Your next task is to locate the vein and apply the tourniquet. Then you do the deed. It's supposed to be a short, quick jab into the vein. You have to guide the needle all the way into the vein to make sure that you've got a good flow of blood. Then you pull the needle out and plug the IV tube in.

The interesting part is the time between pulling the needle out and plugging the tube in. There's blood flowing there. All over the person's arm and onto the floor. I guess that doesn't happen when you're in a hospital because they're professionals. But when a lawyer is doing the work there's a bit of a mess. Actually a fairly big mess. So that's why there are no pictures today.

The neat part about this is that I was sticking the instructor. He walked me through the whole thing. That takes guts.

In the end, I was successful. And I have to say that I would rather stick someone than be stuck. I handled it pretty well. Good enough to make me want to take the Combat Lifesaver Course and get certified.

I still think it would be cool to learn to be an EMT.