FAST1

What I did today. Well, it started off innocently enough. Just some minor paperwork, no sick call. Did Physical Training for the first time in forever. Etc. It was after lunch that it all started. I came back to the Aid Station and got told that one of my co-workers 11 year old child was going to stick an IV in me. If I could figure out how to do smiley faces in the posts, there would be a smiley face with its eyes bugged out in surprise. Well, we got that over with quickly. He messed it up, but it didn't hurt at all. Then they told me I would be getting a FAST1. That is what you get if the medic can't get a vein in your arm. It is a large needle that punctures your sternum and you get fluids and meds into your bone. Yeah. Sounds like fun huh? Well, it hurt. A lot. A FAST1 has a circle of 10 big needles and in the middle of those needles is one big needle that hooks up to the IV. All of the 10 guide needles have to be up against your sternum and have 35 pounds of pressure on them for the middle needle to get shot out into the bone. You hear a nice crunch as it goes in. Much pain. For your viewing pleasure, here is a video of one (unfortunately not one of myself getting it done as the camera apparently malfunctioned.) And that was my day. Saweet.
--Andy