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I'm buying a window punch.

Xodus989

Xodus989

Well-Known Member
I am buying a window punch, I am keeping said punch in my car. Today on the way home from work, I rolled up on a Fatal MVA. Second on scene. First on scene was a motor cop who also just happened to be driving by. I saw him turn around, so I thought he was pulling someone over. All good. I drive by, see the crash. Head on, looked bad, and it was only the cop, so I turn around and pull up the street a little bit and park.

I just got off work, so I had gloves in my pocket. Put them on, while I'm walking over to the scene. Get on scene and see the officer trying to break out the back window of the car, and he shatters his billy club attempting to break it. He walks back to his bike to see if there was anything else he could use. Nothing. It was a residential area so one of the house owners lucky was able to run in to their house and find a hammer, allowing us to gain access to the car. (Yes, I did try to see if any of the doors were unlocked as soon as the officer broke his club)

The man was v-fib originally, then went asystole after the first shock. But because of the trouble we had gaining access to the vehicle, CPR was delayed 4 or 5 minutes.

Now, if I had a window punch, I could have gained access, MUCH easier and MUCH quicker. I'm buying one today.

Btw, the man wasn't wearing his seat belt, and I think he arrested before the crash. No skidmarks, it was single vehicle outside of the one he smashed into on the wrong side of the road. And the damage wasn't that bad. The driver door opened no problem.

Link to the news story - http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/sep/02/bn02crash-santee-fatal/?metro&zIndex=159417

Point of this is, if I would have been able to gain access to the man quicker, and initiated CPR quicker. There's a better chance I could have saved him... Guess I can't save everyone eh?

Sorry, i had to vent a little.
 
Gibs

Gibs

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Global Moderator
Why not get the tire iron out of your trunk X? That will definately break a window......

Sad to hear about people dying in crashes.....
 
Xodus989

Xodus989

Well-Known Member
Gibs said:
Why not get the tire iron out of your trunk X? That will definately break a window......

Sad to hear about people dying in crashes.....
Click to expand...

Car was parked across the street up a side road. Sure that probably would have helped. Didn't think of it though... I also think the officers helmet may have broken the window... Didn't think of that earlier. It sounds like he died before the crash though. And that's how it looked too. There wasn't really any visible bruising in the chest cavity.
 
beejay31000

beejay31000

BULLWINKLE
So, your telling me in a matter of life and death that the cop would have gotten in trouble for using his gun to break a window to save a mans life, or atleast try? Well, what about pistol whipping it. That could have worked too.
 
Xodus989

Xodus989

Well-Known Member
beejay31000 said:
So, your telling me in a matter of life and death that the cop would have gotten in trouble for using his gun to break a window to save a mans life, or atleast try? Well, what about pistol whipping it. That could have worked too.
Click to expand...

he might have gotten away with pistol whipping, but I doubt the gun is harder than the glass. And a bullet would have put other people at risk for a small benefit. We could tell the guy wasn't breathing before we got into the car. Because of this, it put bystanders safety first, and not his. If he was having labor'd breathing, and gasping breaths. Then his extrication would have been put ahead.
 
yosemiddysam

yosemiddysam

Well-Known Member
Donator
Great Job X. Even though you couldnt save him the point is you tried!!!!! I bet the Officer was glad to see you there as well.
 
Maverick

Maverick

Well-Known Member
Man TJ, you are the guy to have on the scene for sure! Try Pep Boys or Auto Zone - that where I had gotten my first one before.
 
S

sdsubzero4

Spring Valley, CA
beejay31000 said:
So, your telling me in a matter of life and death that the cop would have gotten in trouble for using his gun to break a window to save a mans life, or atleast try? Well, what about pistol whipping it. That could have worked too.
Click to expand...

Xodus989 said:
he might have gotten away with pistol whipping, but I doubt the gun is harder than the glass. And a bullet would have put other people at risk for a small benefit. We could tell the guy wasn't breathing before we got into the car. Because of this, it put bystanders safety first, and not his. If he was having labor'd breathing, and gasping breaths. Then his extrication would have been put ahead.
Click to expand...

Yes, what X said. Firing a gun in this situation would have put the officer on the beach. Even for trying to save a person's life. Because the bullet could ricochet or go out on the other side of the car or some freak thing and put other people in danger. We could use our gun or "pistol whipping" only as a last result. But from past incident, the gun won't break the window. I'm surprise the baton didn't break the window either. Always worked in the past.
But, don't worry about it X, like you said, can't save everybody and most likely he expired before you guys arrived.
 
kakarote

kakarote

Well-Known Member
you did good!!. I was a Firefighter/ E.M.T for years, and still, when I come across a MVA, I do as you do, I get out and offer assistance. No, you cant save them all, but, the ones you do will get to see another day because of you.
God bless you for that, and feel good in the knowledge that not only do others see your efforts, but God see's them and say's Good Job!!
 
S

sdsubzero4

Spring Valley, CA
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