Medic Mike And The Eruf

[Medic Mike]

For those of you that don't know, ERUF stands for Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation, they are the only free ambulance service in Cebu.

 

http://www.eruf161.com/home

 

I have made them my pet project. Trying to assist to make them the most modern Ambulance service in Cebu and Philipppines at large.

 

For those that don't know, the ERUF provide many key services to Cebu. Their primary function is Emergency Medical Services, but they also:

 

* Rspond to alarm and emergency calls

* Provide medical backup for other infrastructures in Cebu

* Promote safety and disaster preparedness

* Disaster Brigades

* and Paramedic and Volunteer con't education.

 

What I do, is provide con't support and education for paramedics in the field, help with ambulance operations. Basically trying to keep the service on the cutting edge of EMS. I also do fund raising in Australia for equipment and supplies that is needed or needs replacing.

 

To give you some idea how busy Cebu is getting, and how hard these young women and men are working for their 350 peso a day. Last year (2012), the ambulances from the 3 sub stations attended 2325 incidents, and treated 10,993 patients. When you consider all these calls are priority 1 calls...that is a huge work load. They don't have the resources to attend minor complaints like we would see on a daily basis in Australia.

 

Pictures attached are from my last visit.

 

The following list is some of the equipment and supplies I need to collect before my next visit. If you can help with this list please contact me directly. You can also donate directly on the ERUF website.

 

Here is their wish list I am trying to organise for next trip

 

• backboard spider straps - looking for 2 or 3
• saline irrigation in 30ml - as many units as I can get
• penlights - 2 dozen
• aqium hand gel in 375ml - 6 or more
• high vis roadside vests - 6 to 9 (one fit all statpac type)
• light hi vis rain jackets - 6 - 9 - various size small to medium
• pediatric hard collars- half a dozen
• safety glasses - 6-9 pairs
• boots - small size 5 to 6.5 US sizes -

[brock]

Hi Mike, Had a look on the site and it says that partial or complete loss of consciousness lay the person on their back ?

But after checking their airway, it doesnt say anything about laying them on their side in the recovery position.

is that right.

[Medic Mike]

Hi Mike, Had a look on the site and it says that partial or complete loss of consciousness lay the person on their back ?

But after checking their airway, it doesnt say anything about laying them on their side in the recovery position.

is that right.

Yes that is one of the things that needs to be changed on the website. If professional pre-hospital health providers are looking after you, then yes, place patient on back and airway will be managed in that position. However, for the lay person, they should be put in the recovery position while waiting for paramedics.

[Jollygoodfellow]

Hey Mike

Just wondering how you fit in with the ERUF. Yes I see what you wrote but are you funded from Australia or from the Philippines? Who pays you to train the ERUF or do you do this out of your own pocket?

:tiphat:

[Medic Mike]

They are my pet project . I pay everything out of my own pocket , and from money donated from fellow paramedics and friends from Australia and abroad.

[Old55]

One dozen safety glasses will arrive Cebu late December. Will PM you details when I know.

[Medic Mike]

One dozen safety glasses will arrive Cebu late December. Will PM you details when I know.

 

Thanks Dan!....I have not found any funds for Hi Vis Vests....lol....will probably end up buying them myself. However, I found a local Perth company that is going to give me the vests at cost, which will be about $15 AUD per vest. Next visit I am going to bring a selection of sizes so I can size my guys up.

[Americano]

boots - small size 5 to 6.5 US sizes -   Are you sure about those small sizes?  Most Filipinos have large feet. I have seen teenage Filipinos with feet larger than my size 10.

[Medic Mike]

boots - small size 5 to 6.5 US sizes -   Are you sure about those small sizes?  Most Filipinos have large feet. I have seen teenage Filipinos with feet larger than my size 10.

Of course I am. These boots are for a couple of the female paramedics on staff.

[Jake]

 

One dozen safety glasses will arrive Cebu late December. Will PM you details when I know.

 

Thanks Dan!....I have not found any funds for Hi Vis Vests....lol....will probably end up buying them myself. However, I found a local Perth company that is going to give me the vests at cost, which will be about $15 AUD per vest. Next visit I am going to bring a selection of sizes so I can size my guys up.

 

Such a noble cause Medic Mike!  I've seen far too many ambulances being used for personal purposes.

I salute you for trying to bring in some high tech skills and materials for those that are dedicated to help

the injured citizens.  

 

On a side note, your noble cause apparently has some side benefits: female paramedics need to be

sized up too for proper fitting.....he, he.  

 

Double thumbs up, my friend -- Jake