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Sick Passenger


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The topic title probably has the two worst words to hear on the subway. That happened to me today on the (R) at 49th Street going downtown. The train was held until medical personnel arrived.

 

I don't know anything about the passenger's condition so my question deals solely with train operations. 49th Street isn't a good place to stop because it ties up local service behind the stopped train. Wouldn't it make more sense to take the train to 42nd street where passengers on the train could transfer to an express train to continue their journey? (R), (W) and (N) trains were sent down the express track at 57th street to Times Square to get around the train at 49th.

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The topic title probably has the two worst words to hear on the subway. That happened to me today on the (R) at 49th Street going downtown. The train was held until medical personnel arrived.

 

I don't know anything about the passenger's condition so my question deals solely with train operations. 49th Street isn't a good place to stop because it ties up local service behind the stopped train. Wouldn't it make more sense to take the train to 42nd street where passengers on the train could transfer to an express train to continue their journey? (R), (W) and (N) trains were sent down the express track at 57th street to Times Square to get around the train at 49th.

That seems absurd. Since the condition of a sick passenger is unknown, I would think the thing that makes the most common sense would be to get the passenger assistance as quickly as possible. What happens if there's a mechanical issue or a signal problem and train becomes stuck in between stations? Now you have a backlog in service and a sick passenger to contend with, not to mention a potential liability claim. The passenger can argue that the (MTA) they were ill but ignored their need for immediate medical assistance. 

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Sometimes "sick passenger" is shorthand for "sick in the head" passenger.

About two weeks back power was cut at 125th and Lex because someone wanted to commit suicide during rush hour. Twelve trains stacked, both directions, nowhere to go, and even with my weekly I couldn't get out of this.

138th is the worst choke point to get stuck in.

 

Sent from my HP ENVY m6 Notebook PC using Tapatalk

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Sometimes "sick passenger" is shorthand for "sick in the head" passenger.

About two weeks back power was cut at 125th and Lex because someone wanted to commit suicide during rush hour. Twelve trains stacked, both directions, nowhere to go, and even with my weekly I couldn't get out of this.

138th is the worst choke point to get stuck in.

 

Sent from my HP ENVY m6 Notebook PC using Tapatalk

Sometimes suicide is pretty rational, but this ventures into a whole new topic which has never been discussed on this forum—the right to log out of life. Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. :rolleyes:

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Sometimes suicide is pretty rational, but this ventures into a whole new topic which has never been discussed on this forum—the right to log out of life. Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. :rolleyes:

I know how bad life can suck.

 

But if I ever decided to pull the plug, others would win in my eyes. So it's not an option for me because it amounts to a concession.

It's either be driven crazy or drive others crazy.

And I prefer the latter since I'm already of the former.

 

I've seen some messed up .

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The condition of the sick passenger was unknown to me. I didn't write it was unknown to the conductor.

Conductors are not doctors, so the condition of the aided is generally unknown to them. Someone requests EMS, train stops until help arrives or aided can be removed from the train and left in the care of a qualified person (TA employee, fire fighter, patrolman, etc.)

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You're right they conductors aren't doctors. But they see if the passenger is unconscious or vomiting. There's a police station at 42nd street, the next stop. Instead of waiting for the police to come to the train, they train can be taken to the police.

 

The overall point I'm making is there may be situations where it may be advantageous to take the train to another location where medical help or the police are closer.

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You're right they conductors aren't doctors. But they see if the passenger is unconscious or vomiting. There's a police station at 42nd street, the next stop. Instead of waiting for the police to come to the train, they train can be taken to the police.

 

The overall point I'm making is there may be situations where it may be advantageous to take the train to another location where medical help or the police are closer.

 

There are also a lot of medical conditions that can be worsened by moving the person without an evaluation by EMS first. No way any TA employee is going to take that risk and move the train if they are already in the station. 

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You're right they conductors aren't doctors. But they see if the passenger is unconscious or vomiting. There's a police station at 42nd street, the next stop. Instead of waiting for the police to come to the train, they train can be taken to the police.

 

The overall point I'm making is there may be situations where it may be advantageous to take the train to another location where medical help or the police are closer.

 

Train traffic ahead and the person starts having a seizure just before 42nd St.

 

There are way too many nightmare scenarios for this to even be entertained as a good thing to do.

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This is the one thing i hate... if you know you are sick DONT GET ON THE TRAIN!!!!!!!

 

But to answer your question, once its reported we are to stay there until help arrives!! 

If it takes too long RCC will tel us to Empty the train and The Conductor will stay with the passenger until help arrives while I'll take the train Light to the terminal!

 

Which would you prefer to deal with?!?!?!

I rather the Discharge LoL

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I honestly don't know where this comes from & it's not just limited to MTA workers.... There is this assumption some people have; that if you're tall (especially w/ a solid build), that you must be an off duty EMT or something (either that, or I'm an MTA worker)..... Just because I look big enough to physically pick you up & carry you out of harm's way, doesn't mean I have any training in first aid & what not (doesn't mean I'm going to actually pick you up either)..... Nor do I pretend to be that person (which is actually quite dangerous), as that can have ramifications....

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Sometimes "sick passenger" is shorthand for "sick in the head" passenger.

About two weeks back power was cut at 125th and Lex because someone wanted to commit suicide during rush hour. Twelve trains stacked, both directions, nowhere to go, and even with my weekly I couldn't get out of this.

138th is the worst choke point to get stuck in.

 

I mean if you were stuck between stations there's nothing you can do. But if you were at the station itself, you could take the Bx33 or Bx1 over to the (2) train. 

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I mean if you were stuck between stations there's nothing you can do. But if you were at the station itself, you could take the Bx33 or Bx1 over to the (2) train. 

(2) trains were affected because (5) trains were stuck in the tunnel ahead. I believe it needs to switch over to the 7th Avenue line after 149th.

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I read in The Times that Lhota plans to deploy medical personnel through the system to respond to medical emergencies faster.

They started that plan a few weeks before Lhota came on board, but I haven't seen any of that in place. Hopefully he gets it fast tracked. I know enough EMTs that would gladly take a few shifts in the subway

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I honestly don't know where this comes from & it's not just limited to MTA workers.... There is this assumption some people have; that if you're tall (especially w/ a solid build), that you must be an off duty EMT or something (either that, or I'm an MTA worker)..... Just because I look big enough to physically pick you up & carry you out of harm's way, doesn't mean I have any training in first aid & what not (doesn't mean I'm going to actually pick you up either)..... Nor do I pretend to be that person (which is actually quite dangerous), as that can have ramifications....

AFAIK EMTs can't respond to the subway medical calls without NYPD escorts due to EDPs. Many times Ive seen an ambulance wait 8-15 minutes right at the subway staircase waiting for NYPD to show up before going down the stairs together. EMTs dont open the ambulance door or get out until NYPD pulls up.

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AFAIK EMTs can't respond to the subway medical calls without NYPD escorts due to EDPs. Many times Ive seen an ambulance wait 8-15 minutes right at the subway staircase waiting for NYPD to show up before going down the stairs together. EMTs don't open the ambulance door or get out until NYPD pulls up.

What is EDP?

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Correct. Obviously, somebody with his supposed level of knowledge of the system wouldn't turn down a (3) train if it came before a (2).

Didn't have my unlimited charm that night. And there was a switch issue at Times Square that would've made it harder to Xfer to the (7). So by staying put I was thinking ahead. I could get off at 59th and then Xfer to the (6).

 

Then I could make my switch at Court Square anyway.

 

Sent from my HP ENVY m6 Notebook PC using Tapatalk

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