Here's a question for you all...

[Lakeland Man]

Please forgive the rambling start to my story before I get to my question.

Yesterday I went down to visit my mother. When I was leaving to head back home (about an hour drive), I started to have chest pains. I pulled into the parking lot at McDonalds. I had a vial on nitroglycerine pills in my glove box and I managed to get one out and put it under my tongue. I then called 911 on my cell phone. By this time, my left arm was hurting, the fingers on my left hand were numb, I was having trouble breathing and sweating like a pig. Yeah, I know, classic symptoms of childbirth. Anyway, by the time the ambulance arrived, the pain had eased somewhat, but I couldn't even open the car door and had to be pulled out and placed on a gurney and loaded into the ambulance. They started doing their stuff, hooking up an EKG, taking my blood pressure, etc. At this point, they were unbuttoning my shirt.

Now, of course, I was carrying my .45 on my hip.

So, here's my question. If placed in a position where you might have to be treated or transported by an ambulance, at what point do you let the paramedics know that you're armed? I didn't say anything to them until they started unbuttoning my shirt. When I told them, the response was "ok. good to know." What do you do with your weapon at that point?

Just curious.

 

[Willy Pete]

Howdy Lakeland Man,

First off, I hope you are alright. As you carry nitroglycerin, I assume you've had some heart trouble in the past. I'm glad you recognized the symptoms and acted quickly. As for your scenario, maybe you could have asked one of the paramedics to lock the weapon in your trunk. Otherwise, I'm curious, what happened?

 

[jaysonindaytona]

Let them know up front...and ask them to secure it for you...

 

[NavyLCDR]

I think you did just fine. I would probably tell them at the first opportunity not to interfere with treatment. Let them do whatever they want to with the gun.

I hope you are OK, stay in good health.

 

[Nightmare45]

Having spent 25 plus years as a paramedic, tell them up front and let them or the police secure the weapon, you will get it back, take care of yourself first.

 

[Beau]

Having spent 25 plus years as a paramedic, tell them up front and let them or the police secure the weapon, you will get it back, take care of yourself first.

Um no. Maybe it doesn't always go this way in TX but every case I've heard of where a firearm was turned over to police the person didn't get it back for close to a year.

If you are able let the paras know who you would like them to turn it over to.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I think you did fine; based on their response I would say it sounds like "no harm, no foul." I'm glad you're OK, take care...

 

[Punch]

Here in Nebraska, the CCW law takes care of this issue. You must inform the Paramedics up front and they will temporarily secure your weapon. They will turn it over to the police when they get there. The law specifies what kind of reciept that you get, what is on the reciept, and that the weapon be returned to you immediately upon you being able to recieve it. Failure to follow this law by either party has some pretty stiff penalties.

 

[lheins]

A relative had a problem like that once. He wouldn't turn it over to Paramedics so he requested that a state troop on the scene
take posession so that every one else was comfortable. It worked out OK. I think the trooper then took it to the hospital Adminstration so that they could put it with other property. It could then be picked up when patient is released.

 

[Treo]

Most EMS division have dealt w/ this before and have a protocol in place already.

 

[BigSlick]

I would think that if the gun is legal and carried lawfully then it should be treated as any other item that may be long to a patient.
Glad you are ok.

 

[Lakeland Man]

Thanks to the good wishes from everybody. Here's how the incident played out.

By the time the paramedics got me hooked up and started running my numbers, the pain had gone and all my vitals were normal. In fact, my BP was better than it had been in a while. I called my mother to come to my location as well. They wanted me to go to the Hospital, of course. I discussed it with them, and with my mother and I decided not to go. I have no job, no insurance, and a job interview today that I can't afford to miss. So, I spent the night at my mothers house so someone would be able to keep an eye on me and I'd have assistance if I needed it.

No issues since then and I feel fine. I had the nitro tabs because I had an unusual heartbeat back in October that sent me to the hospital. At that time, the doctors couldn't find anything wrong and gave me the nitro as a precaution. I'm glad they did.

When I'm working again I will get checked out. Until then, I can't afford it. Right now it comes down to a choice between eating and medicine.

 

[FN1910]

This brings up a good question and I think that there have been some good answers but I would like to add some things. We often hear better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6 and all kinds of of other sayings about making the necessary decisions to save lives that may have some concequences later. If you are having a heart attack or some other type of health related problem that is life threatening then worrying about our gun should be secondary. As was pointed out notify the EMT but don't hold back on getting treatment because your gun may be confiscated for a few days or even a year. I have read about people getting into arguments with EMT or LEO about thier guns and refusing treatment rather than letting someone else hold it or demanding that it be placed in a certain secure location. The point is that if the situation is serious enough that you have to call for EMT and an ambulance then your gun is something that you should not place before your life. It can be replaced a lot easier than your life and quit worrying about it. As others have said they have protocols in place to follow and you may not like them but I doubt that you like dieing either so it isn't a goood time to argue about it.

To the OP I hope things work out for you and wish you the best. Sounds like you handled things well and had your priorities right.

 

[S&W645]

Thanks to the good wishes from everybody. Here's how the incident played out.

By the time the paramedics got me hooked up and started running my numbers, the pain had gone and all my vitals were normal. In fact, my BP was better than it had been in a while. I called my mother to come to my location as well. They wanted me to go to the Hospital, of course. I discussed it with them, and with my mother and I decided not to go. I have no job, no insurance, and a job interview today that I can't afford to miss. So, I spent the night at my mothers house so someone would be able to keep an eye on me and I'd have assistance if I needed it.

No issues since then and I feel fine. I had the nitro tabs because I had an unusual heartbeat back in October that sent me to the hospital. At that time, the doctors couldn't find anything wrong and gave me the nitro as a precaution. I'm glad they did.

When I'm working again I will get checked out. Until then, I can't afford it. Right now it comes down to a choice between eating and medicine.

Glad to hear all is well. Hope your interview goes well also.

 

[Axeanda45]

Wow, Scary situation to be in, not knowing for sure what may be causing the pain/etc.... Glad it turned out ok and you can carry on with living..... Best of luck with the job search too...

 

[NavyLCDR]

Good luck with the job interview!

 

[handgonnetoter]

It seems to me that the gun would be put into police custody until you got out of the hospital. Man, you must have been scared big time, I would have been. As long as I knew my gun was taken by the cops, I would at that point just solely be worrying about me. Good luck my friend.

 

[Gordon Shumway]

Glad everything's OK.

Notify EMT asap. Cops will usually confiscate weapons here, no receipts given. Most local EMTs here wouldn't care a bit.

I 24/7 concealed carry a "sacrificial weapon".

A weapon that I have "little money in it" and if it is lost, stolen, confiscated, etc. I got it 20 years ago, "severely cheap".

If I had a Kimber, I wouldn't carry it.

Yes, it is 100% reliable, shoots 3" groups at 25 yds.

 

[wooddoctor]

Good health to you. Glad to see your not waiting for your Obama Hand out. Best wishes.

 

[Hamilton Felix]

When I broke my leg, going down on my motorcycle, I was able to give my pistol to the trusted friend who picked me up and took me to the fire station. I suppose it would have been legal to give to the ambulance crew, but I was on the way to work; I'd have had to prove I was only carrying it on my trip and not at work (a big no-no).

I'll try not to get hurt. If I have to call help, I'll try to get rid of the weapon before I go for a ride.

BTW, I think it's Frederic Basiat. Typing wtih cold fingers? :biggrin: