Submitted by Telecommunicator (not verified) on Sat, 08/20/2011 - 3:49pm.
Yes, you were being critical. I understand, that's to be expected of those who don't do the job and don't quite understand what being a 911 telecommunicator entails.
First of all, being awake and breathing are two COMPLETELY different things. Someone can be awake but not breathing. Ever hear of choking? How about if someone was shot, as this male was...he could be choking on blood. It's important to know if a person is breathing. Its always better for someone to be breathing than awake. The question is there to find out if the airway is blocked for any reason.
Not only that, but the medical questioning that we follow through with on ALL medical calls is a national standard. It is time tested, and has saved more than one life. We don't ask questions needlessly. We ask these questions to save lives.
"Not To Be Critical"
Yes, you were being critical. I understand, that's to be expected of those who don't do the job and don't quite understand what being a 911 telecommunicator entails.
First of all, being awake and breathing are two COMPLETELY different things. Someone can be awake but not breathing. Ever hear of choking? How about if someone was shot, as this male was...he could be choking on blood. It's important to know if a person is breathing. Its always better for someone to be breathing than awake. The question is there to find out if the airway is blocked for any reason.
Not only that, but the medical questioning that we follow through with on ALL medical calls is a national standard. It is time tested, and has saved more than one life. We don't ask questions needlessly. We ask these questions to save lives.