Life Supporting First Aid Lives Up to Its Title

SALF, November 1, 2004

It was a brisk October morning as Dr. Sherlita Amler, a licensed, board-certified physician at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, was driving down a major highway. Dr. Amler and her secretary, Cassandra McNeil were on their way to lunch when they spotted an overturned vehicle. After stopping to assist, they found the injured occupant of the vehicle kneeling in the HOV lane. The man had a large laceration to his scalp as well as injuries to his back and left hand. Dr. Amler identified herself as a physician and offered her assistance. Ms. McNeil insured that 911 and the police had been notified.

Dr. Amler found herself in the uncomfortable position of being trained to assist but having no supplies to work with, not even gloves or bandages. She initially used clothing to apply pressure to the large cut on the man's head. "He was losing a lot of blood and I had to stop the bleeding. Applying pressure to the cut was the only way to stop the bleeding. I was wishing for gloves when a young man drove up and handed me a pair of purple gloves. It was great." Other bystanders, who offered supplies from their personal, first aid kits, assisted Dr. Amler and Ms. McNeil. Using the borrowed medical supplies, Dr. Amler and Ms. McNeil were able to control the bleeding until the ambulances arrived. Dr. Amler applauded Ms. McNeil as remaining calm and in control during a difficult situation.

Dr. Amler stated that during the event she found herself thinking of CDC's grantee, Carol Spizzirri, founder of the Save A Life Foundation (SALF). Carol lost her 18-year-old daughter when she bled to death following a hit and run incident. Unfortunately for Carol's daughter the first responders had no training in life supporting first aid skills.

SALF believes in teaching average citizens and even children CPR and first aid. Dr. Amler agrees with this philosophy. "After all, if I am in a car accident I want to know someone will be trained to help me and my family," she states. Dr. Amler believes we all need to know basic first aid and CPR. "I do not know if what we did saved this man's life, but it undoubtedly gave him a better chance." Not everyone may be a doctor but everyone can learn CPR and basic life supporting skills. Who knows you too may be able to save a life!

Dr. Amler has practiced medicine in both the private practice and urgent care settings. She received her medical training at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, as well as at Louisiana State University (Charity Hospital). She began her career in medicine as an Emergency Medical Technician, and later as a Registered Nurse, working in both an emergency room setting and as a public health nurse. Dr. Amler has extensive experience in environmental toxicology, serving as the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's (ATSDR) investigator for the Chemical Safety Board, providing medical guidance to FEMA's CHER-CAP program and assisting ATSDR in formulating protective standards for children's exposures to chemical hazards. She has a special interest in the area of public preparedness for mass casualty incidents and the development of linkages between acute-care and public health providers.