Re: trach question again.batteries and suction...
Cindysan13(AT)aol.com
Mon, 29 Sep 1997 23:56:59 -0400 (EDT)
In a message dated 97-09-29 19:22:49 EDT, you write:
Carol
<< Does anyone out there know of a good portable suction machine? One that
does
>not require electricity? I would really like to know. >>
Sure, there are portable suction machines. You plug them in and they have a
battery that recharges from electricity. They come with their own little
shoulder bag and are good for outings and power outages. The suction is
never as strong as the big plug in the wall suction machines.
And do you remmember to distilled water in your marine battery?
I once spent the night alone with an ALS client who was on a vent. ALS
destroys all the motar nuerons. The patient has all their mental abilities
but can neither speak or move.
I communicated with this particular guy by reading his lips and by him
spelling words with a series of blinks.
The power went off and all was pitch black. I fumbled for a flashlight and at
first felt no fear knowing that the external battery was already attached and
plugged into the vent. Panic set in when I realized that there was no charge
in the external battery.
The plv 100 was beeping with its internal battery yellow light on telling us
that we were soon out of power there.
Fortuneately, we both kept our heads enough for him to remember a battery
attached to a boat in the garage. And then he had to "blink" explain this to
me. I dont even remember getting that battery off the boat and lugging the 50
pound thing through the dark house and up the stairs to his room. I just
remember the great relief of attaching the boat battery to his vent and
having it change over to to external battery before the need of using the
ambu bag came about. I was then able to call the power company and power was
restored within the hour. I told them it was an emergency and they were quite
understanding
After that he had 3 back-up batteries in his room and I tested them every
shift that I worked. A little overboard , I thought but it was a scary night.
The reason why the original battery was dead was because it was dry of
water. Live and learn in a literal way. Take care everyone,
Cindy
PS. Anyone need a vent nurse in Omaha. I am going back to work