Tzachi at the scene of the accident.
IsraelSeen Exclusive – Interrupting Family Time To Save Lives
United Hatzalah volunteer Tzachi Epstein was at home in Yokneam Illit last weekend enjoying a late breakfast with the family when his United Hatzalah radio buzzed. A severe motor vehicle accident had taken place nearby. With a quick apology to his wife and children, Epstein leapt up from the table and dashed outside to his ambucycle. He wove deftly through the backed-up line of cars, arriving first on location.
Upon arrival, Epstein discovered a horrific scene. Three mangled vehicles lay strewn across the highway, indicating the intensity of impact. Epstein raced from car to car, providing initial triage, assessment and treatment for the wounded. He was joined on location by another ambucycle EMT from United Hatzalah.
Epstein worked at a feverish pace, stemming bleeding, bandaging wounds and immobilizing injuries. All told, the EMTs treated six victims injured in the collision. Among them were a family with two young boys, ages 5 and 10. When the ambulances began arriving, nearly 15 minutes later, Epstein and his colleague helped transfer the victims. They were evacuated to the nearest trauma center for definitive care.
As Epstein was preparing to return home to his awaiting family, he received yet another alert from United Hatzalah’s Dispatch and Command Center. A young man had been found semiconscious in his home. The volunteer medic instantly zoomed off to the given address. When he arrived, Epstein took vital signs and found the patient’s blood sugar levels to be dangerously low. The EMT worked quickly, providing the young man with glucogel to raise his sugar levels. The patient’s condition soon stabilized, and he regained full consciousness. He was then able to eat more carbohydrates and sugars to keep his blood glucose levels at a normal range. Once the man was safely on his way to the local medical clinic, Epstein headed back home.
Though their family time had been interrupted by the pair of emergency calls, Epstein’s wife and children were gratified to know that he had been out making a difference and saving lives.
