46. Chase
Chase
It’s always hot when Logan talks pilot shit, but now is not the time to be admiring it.
Trusting Logan to do what he does best, I return my attention to the patient who is currently dead beneath me. Nothing short of a miracle is going to bring him back, but I have to try.
Groping around blindly under the seat, I find what I’m looking for and pull the AED out.
Meanwhile, Logan pulls the nose of the helicopter level and begins correcting the tilt back to neutral. One glance out the window tells me it was close.
Too fucking close.
Using the fabric scissors from the AED pouch, I cut Erik’s shirt right down the middle, which is no small feat considering I’m still a little dizzy from spinning out and my heart rate is easily approaching two hundred.
Once his shirt is open, I quickly attach the pads and start the AED, only for it to analyze and tell me no shock is advised.
Fuck.
Double fuck.
This man is in asystole. It’s an unshockable rhythm. It also means he’s as good as dead unless…
Holy shit, please be what I think you are.
In the other mesh pocket of the AED are three small vials and a cellophane-wrapped syringe.
This man gets closer to the pearly gates with every second I waste, so quickly reading that the vial contains epinephrine and ignoring the expiration date, I open the syringe and draw the full contents into the needle.
Taking a quick glance at my watch, I note the time. He’ll need another dose in three minutes.
With my left foot planted on the floor of the helicopter, and my right knee bent and resting on this man’s left thigh, I’m practically folded in half as I hover over him because the ceiling is so low.
Jesus. I don’t even have time to clean his skin before I’m locating the best vein he has, slapping it repeatedly to make it stand out, and issuing a plea to Logan.
“You’re doing great, baby. Think you can hold her steady for me for just a sec, though? I’m aiming for a vein back here.”
“Doing my best, sweetheart,” Logan calls, making me grin.
Erik’s skin is already turning blue as I flush the medication into his body.
Ideally, I’d follow this up with saline, but there is none.
As soon as the syringe is empty, I elevate his arm to circulate the drug, but only give it three seconds before starting CPR.
I count out loud in the back of this swaying helicopter, doing my best to save this man’s life, while Logan saves ours.