Making Pretty Pictures

Today, I saw a man die.

Like any other story, today started out normal. I was camping with my boyfriend, mom, niece (age 3), and nephews (ages 3 & 2). We went up to the pool to waste some time before lunch and the long ride home. I was in the pool with my niece and oldest nephew was with my boyfriend not to far away and here was a family at the pool; a mother (the woman), her children, and her parents (the grandparents). My nephew was playing with a few of the kids in the beginning and my niece was talking to the grandmother because she just looooovvveesss to talk. 

A half hour later, I was helping my niece swim, when all of a sudden, the grandmother started yelling. She was over standing at the deep end where her husband was. Her daughter ran over and jumped in. Her father was faced down in the water. Instantly, I picked up my niece, put her on the edge of the pool and told her to go sit in a chair. Thankfully, she could see that this was a situation where she was to not ask questions and do as she was told. I ran out of the steps of the pool, and grabbed the life float thing for the daughter to prop herself up on with her father. After I threw it, I ran to the other side and called for my boyfriend to help me and my mother pull him out. 

When we pulled him out, there was a small stream of blood running from right above his eyebrow.

We couldn’t tell if he was breathing or not. I was afraid to start CPR is he was still alive. After about thirty seconds of trying to see if he was breathing, my mother started CPR. Still, we were skeptical and she stopped but I started right away, right when she took her hands off. The camp ground owner was on the phone with 911 trying to get help. Someone had run down to another site and got a retired firefighter, who took over for me and my mother. 

CPR was being preformed while we waited for the rescue crew. When they arrived, they took FOREVER to get to the victim. Eventually, they got him into the back of the ambulance. Continuing CPR, they tried medicating him.

In the end, he didn’t make it. What’s even worse, was that his grandchildren, his daughter, and his wife saw this happen. 

I am CPR certified for the Healthcare profession, but I never expected to use it outside of work. And I never expected a victim to die and not come back when I used CPR. Where we were, we had no AED, the rescue crews were all volunteers, and it seemed we weren’t quick enough. I feel like I didn’t do it right, or quick enough, but I can’t change when happened. It really sucks. 

Once you’re an addict, you’re always an addict. Whether it is to drugs, alcohol, or hurting yourself. Everyday is a battle and sometimes you will fail.