Forceful Entry

[Guest guest]

So many opinions, so little expertise. I'd appreciate opinions and I'd

really appreaciate expert opinions on EMS making forceful entry. How

do you balance scene safety, and personal and crew safety with patient

needs? Here are some topics brought up so far -- EMS only crews are

not trained to make forceful entry; EMS only crews may/may not have

adequate safety gear; does EMS have the legal authority to make

forceful entry; what's on the other side of that door or window; there

are parts of our coverage area and situations where we would feel safe

making a forceful entry, but there are other sections and situations

where we would not feel safe. Bob in McGregor, LP

[Guest guest]

Bob,

This takes us way back to the emt-b training days. Scene size up, what do I

have, what are my hazards, do I have who I need to complete the task? Most

situations that I have come accross have been as a fire dept paramedic. Of

course we had the right tools and other than having a pd officer on location, no

one else needed to be called. However, from a pure ems point of view it would

be best to have an fd response if possible. I would pretty much ALWAYS at least

have pd present when possible.

Of course if you're looking through a window and see a victim down....do what

your instincts tell you to do. Waste no time. Every situation is different.

Don't hesitate to call for help when needed.

Hope this helps

Steve Gann

l1usma62 wrote:

So many opinions, so little expertise. I'd appreciate opinions and I'd

really appreaciate expert opinions on EMS making forceful entry. How

do you balance scene safety, and personal and crew safety with patient

needs? Here are some topics brought up so far -- EMS only crews are

not trained to make forceful entry; EMS only crews may/may not have

adequate safety gear; does EMS have the legal authority to make

forceful entry; what's on the other side of that door or window; there

are parts of our coverage area and situations where we would feel safe

making a forceful entry, but there are other sections and situations

where we would not feel safe. Bob in McGregor, LP

[Guest guest]

Barring any local agency rule prohibiting forcible entry, I'd agree with what

Steve said: Size up the situation and make a decision. Make sure your crews

have the appropriate personal protective equipment, including leather gloves and

eye protection. Issue each ambulance a halligan bar or equivalent and some form

of force-applicator (sledge hammer, flat-head axe, etc), Find a friendly fire

instructor to teach your crews to force entry safely and efficiently, with

minimum damage to the structure.

Halligan bar: $185 each

Axe/Sledge hammer: <$50 each

Gloves/goggles: $20/set

Worker's compensation injury due to inapproprate equipment: Priceless.

  Phil Reynolds Jr.

115 Harold Dr.

Burnet, TX., 78611

HP

CP

[Guest guest]

I have always taught that ding what you feel a prudent peer would do in that

situation and a fair application of the ever not so common common sense should

be ones guide in this situation.

LNM from Baku, AZ

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

[Guest guest]

>

> So many opinions, so little expertise. I'd appreciate opinions and

I'd

> really appreaciate expert opinions on EMS making forceful entry. How

> do you balance scene safety, and personal and crew safety with

patient

> needs? Here are some topics brought up so far -- EMS only crews are

> not trained to make forceful entry; EMS only crews may/may not have

> adequate safety gear; does EMS have the legal authority to make

> forceful entry; what's on the other side of that door or window;

there

> are parts of our coverage area and situations where we would feel

safe

> making a forceful entry, but there are other sections and situations

> where we would not feel safe. Bob in McGregor, LP

First forcefull entry should only be used when there is an immediate

life threat to the patient. Second, always have a PD officer on

scene. Third if no immediate life threat is apparent try to fnd an

alternative means of entry. (i.e. does a neighbor have a key, is a

code to get in the garage door ect.) Consider the call: is it an

assault, an unknown medical or trauma. Only use forced entry as a

means of last resort. Lastly alwys allow the PD officer to enter

first. Remember they have guns and balistic vests most EMS crews do

not. Make sure there is a pt in the residence. I Had a crew enter

into an aprtment because the neighbor heard loud noises the night

before only to find the resident gone for vacation.

Conn EMT-P, Crew Cheif BRMC EMS

>