Thread by @EM_RESUS

Hi, ER Doc here.

Opioids like Heroin and Fentanyl kill because they stop people from breathing.

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https://twitter.com/lynnelyman/status/1150262201749426176

Narcan is the opioid antidote. It works by blocking the effects of these drugs at the receptors. So when you give it to people who have overdosed, they will typically wake up and resume breathing...

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All commercial ✈️ should carry Narcan, but if you are ever in a situation where someone has overdosed and you don’t have Narcan, you can still save their life!

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You see when people who have overdosed on opioids initially pass out, they’re not in cardiac arrest. Their heart is still beating and pumping out blood. They’ve simply STOPPED BREATHING.

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So if you remain calm and think about it, all you really have to do is figure out a way to BREATHE FOR THEM.

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All ✈️ are equipped with simple Bag Valve Masks (BVMs). All you have to do is place the mask over the person’s face with both hands, make a seal, and have someone else squeeze the bag.

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Ideally these BVM devices should be hooked up to oxygen, but even if they aren’t, they will still deliver breaths using plain room air.

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As long as you are breathing for them, you will keep them alive. Have someone confirm they have a pulse and just keep giving breaths at a normal breathing rate until either they wake up or more help arrives.

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I’m not sure whether it’s true or not that @Delta doesn’t carry narcan, but if they don’t, they definitely should (all commercial airlines should).

Regardless, this man didn’t have to die.

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Please remember the important concepts in this thread and share them with others and I promise you will save lives.

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