SWAT Docs save officer’s life in Dallas
Posted by GruntDoc on 19th October 2007
From the Dallas Morning News:
A Dallas police lieutenant shot in the neck during a Wednesday morning raid was expected to survive, thanks largely to two doctors on the SWAT team he led.
The doctors said they did not dwell on whether Lt. Carlton Marshall would live or die. Instead, they fell back on their training, mentally checking off what they knew must be done. Stop the bleeding. Get him oxygen.
…
As cries of “Officer down!” went out over police radios, the two SWAT team doctors headed toward the side of the house. Drs. Eastman and Metzger are physicians at Parkland Memorial Hospital and UT Southwestern Medical Center. They join the SWAT team on missions as often as several times a week….
Seconds after Wednesday’s gunshot, the doctors met SWAT team members dragging Lt. Marshall around toward the front of the house. The doctors crouched in the grass over the lieutenant.
Blood gushed from his neck and his airway was clogged; the doctors knew he could not get oxygen. Dr. Metzger held the lieutenant’s head in his hands while Dr. Eastman cut a hole in his neck, allowing him to breathe.
…
I’d have to guess they did a field cric, but it’s hard to know. At any rate, it’s a save!
I’ve been interested in Tactical Medicine for a long time (I got very interested after Columbine), and good for these two docs, and a speedy recovery is wished for the officer.
Posted in Emergency | 11 Comments »
