Remembrance Day weekend begins in early summer.
While many enjoy fun activities, local health officials encourage residents to take the necessary precautions to stay safe and avoid trauma.
Sean Salter, a licensed paramedic and chief administrative officer for CHRISTUS Health, said his department typically experiences an increase of about 10% in the number of requests for emergency medical services over the holiday weekend.
The risk of injuries is increased due to high activity and alcohol, high temperatures and more.
According to Salter, trauma is still the leading killer of different age groups. Typically in Texas, the highest number of fatal incidents are people between the ages of 20 and 35, he said.
“Remembrance Day weekend is an exciting time because most students are completing their education from the previous year, so there is a sense of relaxation associated with this weekend,” Salter said. “But you can still have fun and make smart, safe choices, and that’s what we want to emphasize. We want individuals to be there for the next holiday and the one after it. “
Salter said that the number of ambulance requests usually increases due to injuries caused by driving, swimming, boating and heat. Salter predicts that he will primarily receive patients with heat-related problems due to the forecast for this weekend, which includes temperatures in the mid-90s.
Salter said that alcohol is also associated with many injuries. In a perfect world, Salter said he would encourage individuals not to drink at all, but if one intends to consume alcohol, it should be in moderation. Salter also said that there is no need to ever drink and drive, and determining the driver plays an important role in reducing accidents.
“Prevention is key,” Salter said.
To prevent heat-related injuries, Salter said it’s important to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen. Salter also said that during the holiday weekends, people prefer sweet drinks instead of water, but it is important to drink water to stay hydrated.
Emergency services are always ready to rush to help those in need, but Salter had a few recommendations while he waited for them to arrive first.
If an individual has witnessed someone being injured in an incident with a trauma such as a car accident, Salter said don’t take an increased risk if you don’t have the skill to help you. Salter said to call 911, so responding first can help. Until then, the individual can help control bleeding if necessary, by pressing or wrapping the wound with a cloth.
In case of heat problems, such as fatigue, exhaustion or heat stroke, Salter said that you should remove the person from the heat source in a colder environment. You can also wipe them with a cold cloth and provide hydration.
Salter emphasized that local medical services are available at all times for those who need them and that they will do everything necessary to take the best care of their patients.
“Training, police, fire service, ambulance, ambulance staff, we stand side by side to help when someone needs it and we work very closely with our partners from the hospital,” Salter said. “… we are all working together to make sure we provide that security blanket for people in times of need.”
Salter also said that although the holidays can be a happy time for many, it causes sadness or negative feelings for others. He said it is important to take care of your mental health, check on your loved ones and use local mental health resources when needed.