In my daily search for information I came across a headline in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, '' 6 injured on first day of buck season.'' I was again drawn to the thesis that those of us in EMS will continue to have job security, no matter what system of delivery, public or private, so long as humans exist. The focal point being, were it not for the carelessness and stupidity of others we might be out of work. Might even go a full 24-hour shift and get a full night?s sleep.

First and foremost, at no point am I anti-sportsman, anti-hunting or condone gun control.  In fact my attitude about gun control is rather the opposite because I believe the core issue is responsible behavior, as it is with most things.  In and of it, not something I believe we should legislate.  If my neighbor wishes to make personal sacrifices or work overtime hours to allow himself the luxury of buying a bazooka, or mortgage his home to purchase a sporty M1-A1 Abrams instead of a Lexus, go for it.  Just so long as he is responsible, properly trained, and discharges them in an approved and appropriate area and manner that doesn?t harm anyone in the process, including himself.

Case in point, how does a human in a bright orange hunting vest take on the appearance of an antlered deer?  That will keep me guessing for years to come, and it?s an annual event in all 50 states. 

The Pennsylvania State Game Commission reported that last year there were 25 shooting accidents, three of them fatal, during the antlered deer season.   Of the six injured today there were causes other then firearms. Although there were several self-inflicted wounds, which in the heat of the hunt, one?s excitement level does rise and the trigger must have a magnet on it. 

There were also two fatalities today listed from ?natural causes?. We have the 81-year-old gentleman who was found dead in a tree stand.  Hope I can just get out of bed and makes it to bathroom by myself if I make it to 81.   There was also the 76 year old with a history of serious medical problems.  Don?t know that running around in the woods getting excited with that medical history would have been on the ?to do? list, especially if he spoke to his physician about his intentions.  Then again, maybe he knew it was time and believed in the old West mantra, ?I want to die with a gun in my hand.?

There?s the 12-year-old boy using an ATV to pull the deer out of the woods and overturns.  Hope he had a helmet on and where was the parental supervision? Maybe it was there and encouraging him to give it more gas.

Now if you don?t think the careless, stupid and irresponsible behavior plays a role in our chosen profession, think out this while I carry this out a little farther.

What if no one smoked?  Think maybe there would be fewer heart attack, stroke and COPD responses?  Cancer rates would certainly diminish.  What about a reasonable diet?  No Big Mac?s, no fried chicken, no biscuits and gravy, no ice cream, and no second helpings?    Obesity, diabetes would surely vanish, as would I since I come from a long line of Irish farm folks who started the day with a large plate of fried pork chops, eggs, hashbrown's and all the biscuits and gravy you wanted.  It was important to fuel the body to work the farm and fields all day. I don?t farm but have kept the menu selection close by in my kitchen.

Then there is society?s socializer, alcohol. Where would we be without the drunks? Always good for a wrestling match, as well as a tune up for the senses and a test of one?s patience.  What appreciation would we really have for roses and gardenias were it not for the aroma of blood and beer mixed together?   I spent 22 years on the street as a medic and never found its equal at a traffic accident, and burnt flesh is in a different category altogether.

Drugs.  What can I say about drugs and how irresponsible people can be when they are on them? Guess we wouldn?t have any more shootings trying to rob the local 7-11 for chump change to get a fix.

Winter months and the annual wood cutting jamboree of chainsaw accidents might some day be an Olympic event right along with how fast one can travel on black ice sideways while talking on a cell phone.

If our species were responsible in all aspects of Life and we had to wait for people to age themselves in to health problems we?d be reduced to inter-facility transfers and the adrenaline attraction that got most of us hooked on EMS would not be there. Then there would be a problem attracting people to enter a field that would probably pay even less then today. Budgets would be less and that would make the politicians happy.  They could hire more consultants.

Happy Holiday?s and be responsible.  I?ll be hunting my turkey in the frozen food section where I may run the risk of being accosted by another shopper eager for the same Butterball