[BudgieRamone]

5 years ago I almost died from an allergic reaction/asthma attack at work..a major aircraft manufacturer with its parent company in Peoples Republic of Massachusetts (Raythe..oops)My supervisor "had to" follow policy--He thought I was faking and screwing off--he called plant security, and they took 15 minutes to get there. The security guard/health officer got there took one look at me put an oxygen mask on me and told the dispatcher to call EMS. The answer back from the dispatcher was "We don't have a nurse or doctor to authorize that."--it was weekend 2nd shift. He told the dispatcher to call it anyway, he would take responsibility. There was a long pause and the dispatcher said OK. Meanwhile my supervisor started to have the grim realization that I was in serious trouble and he went to grab one of the golf carts to ferry me to the far east end of the plant where the ambulance was sent. I don't remember much after being loaded into the ambulance other than begging the EMS crew to shoot me full of epinephrine , which they wouldn't do because *I* was not a doctor and didn't know asthma treatment protocol. At the hospital I heard one of the Paramedics tell the ER people "He was asking for epinephrine all the way here." That got action. I was promptly stuck with two needles worth, and by this time it was almost too late. The ER staff was asking if I had a religious preference, If there was someone they could call, I was so bad tht they brought out a bottle of heli-ox and used that to deliver medications (It was considered "experimental" at the time). That finally leveled it off. I only found out a couple days later when I was leaving the hospital that the doctor and ER staff had told my folks they didn't expect me to come out of the ER that night. I recovered quickly and was back to work wednesday (after recieving two attendance infractions from my jerk weed boss--the same one who drove me to the ambulance). Just my two bits worth as relating to the story..:)

[packrat35]

I can say without doubt that if my company and boss had done that to me, I would have killed them and pled temporary insanity.

[dennisw]

I don't remember much after being loaded into the ambulance other than begging the EMS crew to shoot me full of epinephrine , which they wouldn't do because *I* was not a doctor and didn't know asthma treatment protocol. At the hospital I heard one of the Paramedics tell the ER people "He was asking for epinephrine all the way here."

One would think they would phone up ahead and ask an emergency room doctor if they should inject the epinephrine you wanted.

[ArmstedFragg]

The security guard/health officer got there took one look at me put an oxygen mask on me and told the dispatcher to call EMS

You're luckier than you know.... feeding 02 to somebody in the middle of a severe attack can produce grossly negative results.