The DU Lounge

AverageOldGuy

(4,121 posts)

30. Retired EMT here

Mon Apr 6, 2026, 07:03 PM

Apr 6

I'm 81, ran rescue as part of a volunteer rescue squad for 16 years, had to retire 4 years ago.

Fully 1 in 3 of our calls were for falls in the home.

When dealing with a fall, first thing EMT does is "Can you hear me? Talk to me. Where does it hurt?" This (1) makes certain you are conscious and alert; (2) Tells me where it hurts so I can look for injuries.

Next thing is: "Why did you fall?" Some patients don't like that question but it is critical.
-- If you tripped over the cat, that's one thing.
--If you don't remember falling, don't know why you fell, that could indicate someting cerebral going on and you need the ER and at least a CT scan.

Call 911 next time. EMTs would rather come pick you up and find you in good shape than be called by a neighbor who comes to see you, can't get you to answer the door, and we have to kick the door in and find you unconscious on the floor.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

appalachiablue

64 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

This afternoon I fell in the livingroom [View all] MIButterfly Apr 6 OP

Oh, wow. Glad you're OK, MIButterfly! Diamond_Dog Apr 6 #1

Thank you, Diamond_Dog! MIButterfly Apr 6 #5

I couldn't get up when I fell... Had to call the fire dept. for assistance. No Vested Interest Apr 6 #24

You'd think Martini... 2naSalit Apr 6 #2

Thank you, 2naSalit! MIButterfly Apr 6 #6

And... 2naSalit Apr 6 #8

Glad you are ok! SheltieLover Apr 6 #3

Thank you, SheltieLover! MIButterfly Apr 6 #7

Hope you're OK! Ocelot II Apr 6 #4

Thank you, Ocelot II! MIButterfly Apr 6 #9

My late cat Milo would have trampled my supine body to get to the food. Ocelot II Apr 6 #11

Please take care malaise Apr 6 #10

Thank you, malaise! MIButterfly Apr 6 #12

MIButterfly, I'm guessing your dlilafae Apr 6 #13

Thank you, dlilafae! MIButterfly Apr 6 #14

MlButterfly. I am so glad you are okay. debm55 Apr 6 #15

Thank you, debm55! MIButterfly Apr 6 #16

My worst nightmare......so glad you're ok, shaken up I'm sure but at least ok. a kennedy Apr 6 #17

Thank you, a kennedy! MIButterfly Apr 6 #34

someone told me about fainting onethatcares Apr 6 #18

Make sure you are well-hydrated - water or other liquids. No Vested Interest Apr 6 #23

Thank you, No Vested Interest! MIButterfly Apr 6 #35

So sorry for your fall. It's such a shock when that happens. Sogo Apr 6 #19

Thank you, Sogo! MIButterfly Apr 6 #36

I was taking Chex Mix out of the oven... Tesha Apr 6 #20

eek!!! AllaN01Bear Apr 6 #21

Please be careful. OldBaldy1701E Apr 6 #22

Merci beaucoup, OldBaldy1701E! MIButterfly Apr 6 #37

Oh, I am so sorry, MIButterfly Grim Chieftain Apr 6 #25

Thank you, Grim Chieftain! MIButterfly Apr 6 #38

I don't know if it's the same where you live, but here you can call 911 and they will pick you up and if you don't go to 1WorldHope Apr 6 #26

Thank you, 1WorldHope! MIButterfly Apr 6 #39

Glad you weren't hurt. hamsterjill Apr 6 #27

How did you know? Apparently I was a bit premature in my celebrating! MIButterfly Apr 6 #40

We were ALL hoping to be able to celebrate. hamsterjill Apr 6 #47

You said it! MIButterfly Apr 6 #48

I'm glad you were not hurt. LoisB Apr 6 #28

Thank you, LoisB! MIButterfly Apr 6 #41

Sorry this happened to you and so glad you're okay, MIButterfly! HeartsCanHope Apr 6 #29

Thank you, HeartsCanHope! MIButterfly Apr 6 #42

Retired EMT here AverageOldGuy Apr 6 #30

Thank you for your advice, AverageOldGuy! MIButterfly Apr 6 #43

So thankful you weren't hurt! highplainsdem Apr 6 #31

Thank you, highplainsdem! MIButterfly Apr 6 #44

Glad you are okay and FemDemERA Apr 6 #32

Thank you, FemDemERA! MIButterfly Apr 6 #45

Glad you're okay, MIButterfly! Bayard Apr 6 #33

Thank you, Bayard! MIButterfly Apr 6 #46

I'm glad you're OK, MIButterly! LudwigPastorius Apr 7 #49

Thank you LudwigPastorius MIButterfly Apr 7 #50

Good one, luv it! appalachiablue Apr 7 #63

So glad you're okay. 🩷 sueh Apr 7 #51

Thank you, sueh! MIButterfly Apr 7 #52

Ears enid602 Apr 7 #53

Thank you, enid602! MIButterfly Apr 7 #56

The stories I could tell from when I fell dweller Apr 7 #54

I'm so glad you weren't seriously hurt, dweller! MIButterfly Apr 7 #57

I'm glad you're ok! There are helpful suggestions about how to try to prevent falls and handle appalachiablue Apr 7 #55

Thank you, appalachiablue! MIButterfly Apr 7 #58

Excellent, good going! From the responses many of us can relate. appalachiablue Apr 7 #62

Are you ok this morning? Marthe48 Apr 7 #59

Good morning, Marthe48! MIButterfly Apr 7 #60

I'm so sorry. area51 Apr 7 #61

Thank you, area51! MIButterfly Apr 7 #64