Emergency medical services personnel in Pennsylvania have a busy job. The Keystone State is the ninth most densely populated state in the U.S. With a population this closely packed together, accidents and injuries are inevitable. Add cold winter temperatures, and the result is no shortage of work for emergency medical services personnel. With so many people's lives depending on the quick response of EMTs and paramedics, the nature of this work is always a necessity. From cold weather injuries to motor vehicle accidents, EMS personnel in Pennsylvania deal with a wide range of situations.
Cold Weather Injuries
The Keystone State is no stranger to snow, ice and all around cold winters. That being said, injuries from cold weather aren't uncommon. Frostbite, a common problem when the temperature dips below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, keeps EMS personnel busy in the winter months. With signs like numbness, blistering and discoloration, frostbite can result in permanent damage if not tended to quickly. On the more serious end of the spectrum of cold weather injuries, hypothermia affects the entire body, rather than just the extremities. Confusion and low blood pressure are just a couple of the telltale signs of this serious condition. EMS personnel are trained to examine, insulate, and rapidly transport patients suffering from this life threatening condition.
Injuries From Falling
Injuries from falling are among the top emergency situations that EMS personnel will respond to in Pennsylvania. With icy winter conditions, shoes or boots without adequate tread can pose real problems. Bumps, bruises, and even broken bones are often the best-case scenario for first responders. More severe falling injuries often result in trauma to the head. These patients will need to be moved both quickly and gently to avoid long-term repercussions.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
If the sidewalks are icy, it's a safe bet that the roads aren't much better. In such a populated state, driving can be challenging on the best of days, but with snow and ice added into the equation, it's no wonder that motor vehicle accidents are a common call for emergency medical services personnel. Depending on the severity of the accident, EMTs and paramedics will offer assistance in the form of treating bumps and scrapes or, in more serious situations, emergency life support and transport.
These are just a few of the situations that EMS may respond to, but let's not forget that emergency medical services personnel in Pennsylvania take care of all this and so much more. Gun shot wounds, heart attacks, and childbirth may also find their way into a day's work. With an abundance of real world experience and no shortage of goodwill, emergency medical services personnel truly make a difference.
