News report (TV segment) covering a 2014 rescue in which Miami-Dade Fire Rescue used the Handtevy pediatric dosing system to treat a young drowning victim, Alejandro. The segment includes witness interview with mother Jamulet Garcia, remarks from Dr. Peter Antevy (creator of Handtevy), dispatch audio noting a young child drowning, and follow-up reporting that Alejandro was underwater about seven minutes, was placed on a ventilator for nine days, suffered brain injury but later made progress. The piece notes other municipalities (Miami, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, Hialeah) have implemented Handtevy.
Questions this video answers
Seven minutes.
Nine days.
Miami, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, Hialeah.
Dr. Peter Antevy.
Two and a half years old (mother's statement).
Chapters
Sadly, we hear about it way too often. A child found floating in a backyard pool. Now first responders have something new to save lives. Lynn Martinez shows us this timely treatment.
It was supposed to be a happy day for Jamulet Garcia. I had just got back in town and I decided to cook for my parents. Her two and a half year old son ran outside to play. My father came in the house and he said, did you see Alejandro? And I said, he's outside with you. They found the little boy lifeless in the backyard swimming pool. I started getting a stir cord and I started running down the street screaming and hollering for somebody to help me. When paramedics got to the pool, her son wasn't breathing. I started telling them, please, please say my baby. Same up, baby. Station 38, this will be for both units and Battalion 4, respond on a two year old drowning. When Miami Dade Fire Rescue got the call, they jumped into action. Anxiety level's always a little bit higher when we're dealing with children, but this call was different. This was the first time that myself and I believe the entire crew has used the hand heavy system. That system is crucial when. When it comes to saving drowning victims. They need a shot of epinephrine to start their hearts. But the dosage for a child depends on his or her size.
We have just a few minutes before the brain loses so much oxygen that it won't function normally ever again.
The Han Tevy system, named after local ER Dr. Peter Entevi, gives paramedics the specific dosage information before they even get to the scene, so they don't waste precious seconds.
We know that Generally speaking, a 1 year old should be about 10 kg, a 3 year old should be 15, 5 year old, 20, and so forth.
In Alejandro's case, he had been underwater for seven minutes. But the crew was prepared.
They got his pulse back within a few minutes. And those few minutes are critical, obviously.
Alejandro was rushed to Jackson's trauma center where he was on a ventilator for nine days. He suffered brain damage and had to relearn how to walk and talk. It's something as simple as saying my. He had to learn how to do all over again. But Alejandro is making a lot of progress.
Both he and his mom are grateful for the paramedics who saved his life. For going beyond the call of duty and excelling in service. That saved my son's life. A special plaque presented to the paramedics from Station 38 who are clearly moved by Alejandro's miraculous recovery. It's an amazing feeling this is why most of us signed on for this job.
I think that this is one of the most valuable things that we could have done for our department to help save children's lives.
After almost losing her baby forever, Jamulet is overjoyed to have him in her arms. Miracles are still happening every day, and my son is a living proof that God is still performing miracles. In addition to Miami Dade Fire Rescue, the cities of Miami, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne and Hialeah all have implemented this system. Them in The Newsplex, Lynn Martinez, 7 News.
