An EMS Play (By Play)

For the sports fans out there.

EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY

Two young dads in sports jerseys stroll around their mostly-deserted suburban neighborhood. They're carrying small folding stools and listening to a police scanner. Their faces light up when they hear the crackling radio announce that a trauma has occurred near them. They rush to the nearby address. On arriving, they set up their stools on the sidewalk. They pull brightly colored plastic microphones, which look 'borrowed' from their kids, from their jacket pockets.

Welcome back EMS fans, we've got a great event today. On scene we've got our player, a young appearing male whose does not appear to have reached his intellectual prime. Let's go to my colleague Benny for his thoughts.

BOB

Thanks Al. Yes, yes, I am excited for today! The 911 call has already been made - sounds like we've got a young man who was day drinking and tried to do some roof repairs. Sounds like he fell off the roof and hurt his leg- ouch! He's awake, but that leg is not looking so good. Let's take a closer look.

An ambulance siren gets louder and flashing lights appear. Neighbors file out from their houses to watch from a distance.

(Wincing at the patient)

Yep, Bob, definitely a bloodbath down there. The rig is parking right now... and, looks like we've got a medic and rookie pair today. The medic has already jumped out of the back, gloves in hand... Oh, good opening play there, he's starting with assessing the airway and breathing.

BOB

A little predictable, but it's hard to argue with the classic ABCs. Looks like the newbie is trying to follow his lead - oh, rookie move there - he left his stethoscope in the rig and had to run back to get it- that's gonna cause a delay.

Ok, ok the medic is going for the gauze, and applying direct pressure to the leg now. The rookie's putting the patient on the monitor, blood pressure and heart rate look good. Bleeding is holding steady, holding steady...

BOB

Well, this game may not be that interesting after all...

BOTH

(Both stand and make grossed out faces)

OOOH!!

So much for that gauze, he's got a squirter and the blood is pumping FAST! What will he go to next? The medic's a little shaken there. Looks like he's trying to use more gauze to control the bleed, but wherever he presses causes a little fountain of blood to squirt out from another area...

BOB

You know, the medic and the rookie are so focused on the bleeding that they're ignoring the rest of the field.

Good call Bob, you're right. The patient's BP is dropping while those two are playing whack-a-mole with the pumping wound.

BOB

Hmm, the medic sent the rook searching through the gear bag. The rook is looking about as pale as the patient is turning. Depending on piece of equipment he pulls out, this could be a game changer.

Oh oh... what is it... hard to see... oh! He grabbed the tourniquet! Great play, really solid. Pro move there.

BOB

Well let's not get too excited Al, he's still got to execute it right. Ok, he's unwrapped the tourniquet... ooh fumble! Dropped to the ground. And looks like the rookie just pointed out the dropping BP, too - that's gotta add some pressure. No pun intended. All that blood on his gloves is giving the medic some butter fingers today. He's starting to sweat, he's knows this next move can make or break the outcome of this game...

The clock's ticking down, along with the patient's BP. The crowd is watching with baited breath. He's got to pull this off or they may lose this one. He hasn't been under so much pressure since the Costco stampede. Remember that?

BOB

Unforgettable, he was truly the MVP of that MCI last week.

(Voice rising throughout)

Ok he's got tourniquet number 2 in his hand and ready to go. He looks a little shaky there. Another fumble like that and this game is not going to end well. Wait for it, wait for it... Tourniquet is going up the leg... he's going for it! He's pulling the straps! It's tightening down... tightening down... almost there...

Both men stand up and lean in.

(Jumping up and down, cheering)

He did it! The blood spurting has stopped!! He's saved the scene!!

BOB

(Looks around, smilling)

The crowd that has gathered is going nuts! They've never seen anything like it!

Well that's gotta be a relief right there! I tell you, I can't remember the last time I saw a tourniquet placed under such stressful conditions. Ok and now it looks like the medic and rookie are huddled in a timeout.

BOB

Al, I think he's debating his next move - should they stay and play, or scoop and run? Which route are they gonna go today?

Looks like they're committing to fluids and transport to Hospital Woeisme for the post-game conference. Ok, the patient's stabilized and being packed into the rig. Well, that about wraps it up here folks.

BOB

What a game today! Always love to see the rookie-medic combo working together, especially in those key moments. A few fumbles, but overall solid play. I'm certainly looking forward to the next match.

Same here Bob, I'll see you at the next one. For now, I'm going to head home before my kid realizes that I took her microphone again.

BOB

Sounds good, friend. To all our EMS fans out there, have a great day, and we'll see you next time!

Al and Bob put away their mics, pick up their chairs, and start walking home.

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