Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You decide to stay put and deliver the baby in her car.
You realize you will have to trust your knowledge of first aid and hope
for the best. You do everything you can to make the woman comfortable, prepare
your first-aid kit and radio for paramedic assistance. Ten minutes later,
the baby is born.
This is the real-life decision made by firefighter Bernie
O'Keefe. "I was pretty sure I couldn't make it to the hospital on
time," says O'Keefe. "Sure, I had never delivered a baby before, but
I figured it was better that it was done in a parked car than a moving one.
"I knew my first-aid training would help if anything went wrong, but to
be honest, she did all the work!"
O'Keefe is quick to point out that this situation -- where a firefighter
has no backup for a medical emergency -- is highly unusual. However, he also
says it was one of the most rewarding moments of his career.
"When I saw that baby, when I realized that they were both OK, I was just
awestruck," he says. "It's a moment I'll carry with me forever."