Every day of the year, Magen David Adom (MDA) teams save lives, provide medical care, ease pain, and add light. In honor of the Festival of Lights, we have gathered several illuminating stories from the work of MDA teams, because a little light dispels much darkness.
During a severe allergic reaction, the immediate availability of life-saving medical equipment can make the difference between tragedy and a miracle.
A baby girl, approximately six months old, suffered a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after being exposed for the first time to a dairy product in her home in Netanya. Her family immediately called MDA’s 101 emergency dispatch center, which dispatched multiple response units, including rapid-response motorcycle medics and a mobile intensive care unit.
The first to arrive on the scene, riding MDA’s yellow emergency motorcycle, was rapid-response volunteer and senior EMT Yonatan Dagiya. He quickly identified the signs of a severe allergic reaction and immediately administered life-saving treatment, including an EpiPen injection, saving the infant’s life. Once her condition stabilized, she was evacuated by MDA’s mobile intensive care unit to the hospital for further examination and treatment.
“When I arrived, it was immediately clear that the sweet baby girl was suffering from a severe allergic reaction,” Yonatan said. “I treated her right away using an EpiPen, which I carry as part of the medical equipment on my motorcycle. After her condition improved and stabilized, I handed her over to the MDA paramedic team, who transported her to the hospital. In cases of severe allergy, an EpiPen containing adrenaline is the fine line between tragedy and a miracle. It’s important to remember that using an EpiPen is simple, and anyone, even without medical training can use it and save a life.”
What to Do in Case of a Severe Allergic Reaction
In the event of a severe allergic reaction, immediately call MDA’s 101 emergency dispatch center. If an EpiPen is available, follow these steps:
Open the plastic case and remove the injector.
Remove the blue safety cap and hold the injector in the middle.
Aim the orange tip at the outer thigh of the patient (through clothing if necessary).
Press the injector firmly at a 90-degree angle until you hear a “click,” and hold it in place against the thigh for 10 seconds.
Massage the injection site for 10 seconds after removing the injector.
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Written in collaboration with MDA