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March 19 EMTs Defibrillate AlligatorHOUMA, LA (Reuters) - The shift started like any other for Terrebonne Parish Ambulance EMT Marci Thibodeaux and Paramedic Chris Theriault. About 15 minutes after breakfast, they received an emergency call to the little hamlet of Thariot several miles down Highway 318 from Houma. Like most ambulance calls, they were unsure what to expect as they raced to the scene deep within the Mississippi delta. Terrebonne Sherriff's Department Deputy Pat LeDeux met the ambulance and escorted them down a twisting road to a ramshackle barge tied to a large tree. There they were met by Larion and Jean Bellafleur. They soon learned that Jean was in labor and that Larion had waited to call the ambulance in hopes he could get his truck started to take Jean to the hospital in Houma. The EMTs assessed Mrs. Bellafleur and began the 25-minute drive up Highway 318 to the hospital. But, about 3 miles north of Thariot, it became painfully apparent to the EMTs that the Bellafleur baby was not going to wait until Houma to make his entry into the world. They carefully parked the ambulance next to Dexter Bayou and prepared for emergency childbirth. Working together, the ambulance crew delivered the baby. The Bellafleur baby came into the world with a good healthy cry. Just as the baby had been delivered, the EMTs prepared to cut the baby's umbilical cord. Then, suddenly and out of nowhere, a 9-foot alligator reached through the open doors of the ambulance and clamped down on the umbilical cord. Shocked, the EMTs found themselves in a tough situation. The umbilical cord was still attached to the baby and the afterbirth remained in the mother's womb. In a tug-of-war that lasted a few minutes, it became apparent that the alligator was not giving up. The EMTs rushed to cut the cord. Finally, after several attempts they cut the cord and freed the baby. But, the aggressive alligator held on. The afterbirth would not release and the alligator was getting closer and closer to Mrs. Bellafleur. Then, instinctively, Theriault grabbed the ambulance defibrillator. Although usually used to start hearts, he figured it might stop one as well. Theriault turned on the machine, placed adhesive pads on each side of the alligator's face, and pressed the shock button. There was an immediate spark around the alligator's head followed by a putrid-smelling smoke. Much to the surprise of the EMTs, the alligator let out a gasp and fell dead behind the ambulance. At this time, the Mrs. Bellafleur's womb released the afterbirth and the dying alligator dragged it and the cord to the pavement behind the ambulance. They then directed their attention to the baby and completed the transfer to the hospital without incident. Today, both mother and baby were released--neither the worse for wear. Mrs. Bellafleur said, "It was the strangest thing. I have been around 'gators all my life and never seen one do that." An unassuming Paramedic Theriault said, "Well, I kinda' figured it might work. But, them 'gators being cold-blooded, you can never tell what might happen." Terrebonne Parish Justice of the Peace and Game Warden Bubba Bedouin examined the carcass alongside Highway 318. He said, "I have heard of such things happening before. The baby's cry is like the cry of a wounded swamp rabbit, a normal part of the 'gator's diet. He was just looking for food." He also stated that he would not seek charges for killing the alligator during the nesting season against the ambulance crew as they truly acted in self-defense. He awarded the carcass to Mr. Bellafleur who assured all that it would be a permanent fixture over the stove. Both EMTs said that this was certainly one of their more interesting calls, but they could never know what the future might bring. TrackbacksThe trackback URL for this entry is: http://emtgirlie03.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!95231BDF1CDC6C37!260.trak Weblogs that reference this entry
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