Gathering EMS Humor Stories for MedicCast Live

After having trained both members of the general public and emergency first responders in the various continually changing intricacies of resuscitation over the last 30 years I have seen and heard some strange stories. I’ve also learned to be very specific when training and not to presume that common sense is common.
The one that sticks in my mind is the story of the spritely old lady who decided to do a first aid course including CPR “because she thought she should know something about it at 75 years of age”.

The resuscitation manikins that we were using required the insertion of individually issued plastic bags which were inserted into a hole under the face mask to simulate the lungs and of course to facilitate protection against the risk of cross infection.

It was assessment day and the instructor, being satisfied that he had successfully expounded his knowledge of all things first aid, thought he would just check before the assessment to see if there were any specific questions.
He asked the class “Are there any questions before we commence the assessment?

75 year old Ethel raised her hand and said
“Yes Mr Smith, where can I buy the plastic bags once we’re finished the training?”

The Instructor said “What plasic bags are you referring to Ethel?”

Ethel inocently replied ” The plastic bags we stick down their throat before we start blowing into them!!”

The Instructor was flabbergasted and began to wonder if he should start the training all over again but calmly explained the differences between training manikins and the real patients.