Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to vent a little and beg your prayers for the family of a young woman that didn't make it home for Christmas.

I was on a drilling rig in South Central Alberta on Dec 23. Those from around here will likely hear something on the news Tuesday.

To make a long story short, due to a freak accident, not directly involved with the drilling operation, a young woman lost her life the evening of the 23rd on the same location I was working on. The call for first aid was reported to me directly and I was the first of three people to try to assist this young woman. Whether willing or not, I recruited the two others to assist with holding her head position and getting me additional equipment.

To spare you the gory details, I did everything in my power to keep her breathing until EMS arrived 30 min. later. After paramedics assumed care and worked on her awhile, she was airlifted to hospital where she died a few hours later.

What is tearing me up is that although I new the inevitable was to happen due the severity of her injuries, I can't help but feel that my direct action only prolonged her suffering long enough for her family to gather at the hospital and witness it themselves.

We finished up the well this morning on permission yesterday from investigators to wrap things up - we were shut down for investigation as soon as we were in a position of well control.

I arrived home today at around 4:00 this afternoon shedding tears a few instances along the way for what was has turned to be an extremely crappy start to the holiday season. Upon my arrival home, I unloaded my clothes and stuff at the back door. When I opened it and proceeded inside, I found my house full of Christmas decorations -- I didn't decorate as I'm usually never home long enough. On my fireplace, was a note from my Goddaughter, thanking me for her birthday present (hers is the 22nd). My buddy, his wife, and his daughters must have done the decorating. They're out with family tonight, but they have no idea how much my spirits were lifted and have allowed me to look for some happiness this holiday season - originally, I wasn't going to my Dad's tonight, but this has helped. There is no way they could have known either, as I haven't spoken with them since before this incident.

My condolences and prayers to this young woman's family for being unable to return their sister/ daughter to them.

My hats off to the rig crew for being able to hold it together long enough to finish the well under these tragic circumstances and get home to their families safely.

To everyone on the site, hold your families close - life is fragile. My best wishes. Merry Christmas (wow, that was hard to type).

Now, to face my family at my Dad's tonight - they do know why I'm late. I'm not sure how long I'll last.

Thanks for letting me confide.

notsomuchinChritmasspiritsKerry

 

Your actions may have allowed her and her relatives a few minutes for final words, instead of the anticeptic notice from a company representitive that she didn't make it.
I'm very sure your actions, and the actions of those who assisted you, are very much appreciated by her surviving relatives.
You can also hold your head high as you rendered all possible aid in your attempt to save her.

Either way it's a hard pill to swallow.

We'll say a prayer for both you, and her family.

 

Kerry, You did what was right to try and preserve her life, no matter how bad the the injuries were. You gave her family the time to gather and say good bye. She was not alone, you were there to help her.

I held the head of a dying man in a semi -v- pickup accident a few years ago. Put traction on his neck to try & keep his airway open. He took several breaths then stopped. He was trapped in the driver's seat (that was now the passenger's seat) and I was working through the rear window. The passenger was already dead. I could not get to the driver to perform mouth to mouth, there was no room, and I had no tools to break the windshield. If I had the tools & time I just may have saved his life. I drew comfort in the fact that he was not alone when he died, that I (someone) was there when he passed. I relayed that info to his wife & kids. It was all I could do. I tried my best to save his life, and you tried your best to save hers. It doesn't always end like the movies.

All we can do, is the best we can do.

 

Sorry to hear that brother. We've chosen to work in a dangerous environment and you did the very best you could, that's all anyone could ask of you. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

 

Folks like you are hard to come by in today's world. Though it doesn't fix anything, when someone's number is up...it's up..And you ought to be proud of yourself for allowing her a few extra hours of life that gave her family a chance to make peace and say their farewells.

Thoughts and prayers...

 

It also could have also turned out much differently. Your actions may have saved her. (Edited to add: I may be a bit naive with that comment, but I'll let it stand anyway)

You did your job above reproach.
It isn't your call to stop working on someone until more qualified people arrive.
Be proud of what you accomplished. Even if the ultimate outcome wasn't what anyone wished for.

 

You did what was right...don't ever doubt that.

 

Job 14:5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou has appointed his bounds that he cannot pass.
Kinda like waht dirtyblonde said. When your number is up, its up and Gods in control of that.

 

It's a hard thing to do, and to live with. Have peace in the fact that you did what you could, when others may have stood to the side and did nothing.

If it was my family member, this is what I would have wanted you to do.

It's in God's hands.

 

This thread really bothers me...I PM'd Festus for more details, because a very close and dear friend of mine owns her own hotshotting business in the Alberta oilpatch. I really hope it wasn't her.

 

Festus, you did your best! Festus, my hat goes off to you! Thank you for sharing this story with us! Our thoughts and prayers goes out to her family! Festus, you are an angel.

 

Thank you for all the comments so far. Marine - PM'd you back - don't worry about your friend.

 

Although it is always disheartening to deal with human tragedy no matter what the circumstances, you should find solace in the fact that you cared enough about someone you did not even know to give them your very best.


Thank you for your actions and selflessness.

 

Festus, rest assured you did what was right. Sometimes people survive injuries that the medical field cannot explain the survival. Your actions may have done that except that God had plans for this young woman.

Several years ago my son cut his jugular in a fall. The paramedics told me they had never seen anyone lose so much blood and survive. As has been said, God makes the decision, we only help it come to pass.

 

Thanks for being a stand up guy and doing what was right. Although others were there, you were the one who cared to put your training to use, you did not give up, and comforted her in a way that someone just standing there could not do.

Unfortunately, in being a caring human being, you also know the pain that sometimes goes along with it. I hope you have a good cry or two and find peace with yourself. But if you don't, go find a post traumatic stress counselor to talk to. They do help, I've used them some in the past.

Doug