MAJ. BRIAN MOYER
Joint Force Headquarters Oregon
Oregon Army National Guard
Monmouth, Oregon

While being a good Samaritan and responding to those in need may be instinctual for those of us in uniform, there are dangers and risks we are likely to encounter. I thought I kept myself well prepared to respond to civilian accidents until one day I decided to stop at a vehicle rollover on Interstate 5 in the middle of Portland, Oregon.

I was southbound when I first saw the overturned vehicle in the northbound lanes. I checked the traffic around me, which was moving slow, pulled into the center median and turned on my hazard lights. I then went to the trunk of my car and retrieved my high-visibility vest and first aid kit with medical gloves.

While I crossed the center divider, I checked the situation for fuel spills, smoke and other signs of danger. There was glass all over the ground and one female victim hanging out of the vehicle. As I squatted to begin assessing the patient, another bystander asked what she could do to help. I told her to find me something I could kneel on to protect my knees from the glass, which she did quickly.

I felt safe to start first aid since I was wearing gloves, so I began managing the patient’s airway and calming her down to prevent shock. There was blood everywhere; however, I was not worried because I had my personal protective equipment. Fire fighters arrived several minutes later and immediately began to stabilize the vehicle. I then realized the vehicle could have already rolled on top of me while I was rendering aid. That was a hazard I had not considered.

After paramedics took control of the patient, I stepped away and removed my gloves. The glass that was in the patient’s hair had cut through the gloves and into my hands. I examined my hands and confirmed I’d been cut and there had been blood transfer. Even though I thought I was prepared, I was not. It hit me that I was in serious danger due to the risk of blood-borne pathogens. I canceled the rest of my work appointments for the day and went straight to an urgent care facility.

The physician informed me my chances were 1 in 5,000 that I had contracted either HIV, hepatitis or a host of other blood-borne diseases. We also spoke about how I needed to adjust my lifestyle so I did not expose my wife, family and fellow Soldiers to the potential hazards should I start bleeding. This new set of precautions lasted more than six months, during which I had to receive regular blood tests. Because I was not a first responder on duty during the accident, I was not able to receive any information regarding the victim’s health status due to HIPPA restrictions.

Since I was commanding a unit that included the 68W sustainment team for the state, I asked some of the instructors who were civilian paramedics what PPE they used so the next time I respond to an accident I’d be properly equipped. Coincidentally, over the next few years I stopped at three different civilian vehicle accidents where there was a substantial amount of blood and broken glass. Each time I stopped, I spent more time assessing the situation before treating the patients than I did during the original incident. I was also equipped with high-strength nitrile gloves, which are much more puncture resistant than standard medical exam gloves.

Thankfully, I did not contract any diseases from responding to the original accident, nor was I crushed from the vehicle rolling. There is no doubt in my mind that my military training enabled me to be much more effective than the civilians who stopped to help; however, this incident reinforced that there is always more to learn. I could have been killed, injured or become very sick, which would have affected my unit and family. It is a great thing to help others, but we must take care of ourselves first.