Date: 21.03.2685 (05.16.10)
Location: Central Infirmary, Fort Weyr
People: Antyna (NPC), Galina, Grigoriy (NPC), H'lanin (NPC), Il'och (NPC), Jayashri, M'lo, Pralius, Rozerna (NPC), R'oc
Synopsis: A first aid class is taught by Pralius and Galina, with several weyrlings in attendance.
It's as clear a late-winter's afternoon as the Weyr's seen in a while … such a shame that it also happens to be the day that the healers have opted to run their first aid course. With Grigoriy having claimed a chair at the back to watch Pralius and Galina as they finalize the process of setting up. Chairs are arranged in front of a table laden with several teaching items, including a few first aid kits that have been prepared for the lesson. Galina herself is making a final check of what's inside the kits, her expression as impassive as ever. As people filter in, they claim whatever seats they can find, just waiting for when the class itself is due to start.
Pralius is behind the table, laying out a few more kits and some bandages. He nods to Grigoriy as he passes, retrieving two small pots of numbweed, a larger one of redwort, a few herb packets, and three large jars of oil. He carris the armload back and sets it down with a grin at Galina, the ever-severe, "I'm sure they're fine, Lina. You checked them an hour ago, too. I assume we're not going to provide any of those gloves coming out of the plasticcraft because they're so expensive? Redwort's enough, right?"
Long distance to Pralius: Galina, belatedly (between shoving mashed potatoes down her craw), agrees. I can do the cuts, you do sprains … the demonstration will just be one or the other lying on the ground, with the other one showing how to hold a person's head and wrap towels to keep the head stable, I think.
Among the attendees comes one little Computer Crafter with floating cinnamon curls and a few more curves since her last visit. Jayashri settles into a chair in the second row, apparently content to take a mild back seat today. And it seems she is prepared for notes, as her laptop is soon removed from her standard satchel and booted up, a few quiet clicks and whirs coming from the device before it it falls into a gently pulsing silence. Prepared for the class, Ash looks up at the fidgeting Healers, smiling at Pralius with a tiny wave of greeting before leaving the Journeyman alone, lest she interrupt his lesson.
R'oc steps through the doords of the infirmary, one of the places on the least favorite places to be, the bruises and coloring almost returning to normal. He steps forwards seeing the young healers setting up for their healing. He takes a few steps in and looks around taking his spot near the exit just overviewing the gathering.
Though normally M'lo avoids the Infirmary whenever possible, today he's here with a mission, and four Weyrlings. One by one, they file in before the AWLM, with varying looks of anticipation on their faces. Blueriders Il'och and Antyna, greenrider Rozerna, and brownrider H'lanin are present and accounted for, and their lifemates are safely tucked away in their couches in the barracks. "Now, there are two things I want you to take away from being here today," M'lo says to them. "First, take a look at the injured riders. They ignored the warnings of their wingleaders, and attempted to fly in dangerous weather. As a result, they're here. Some of them injured their lifemates as well." One by one he looks into their eyes, his face stern. "They're /lucky/ they didn't kill themselves. If any of you ever feels the urge to do something dangerous, think about the men and women who have turns more experience, and who did this." He lets them absorb that for a minute. While they're thinking deep thoughts, or something, he looks up and waves at Pralius, R'oc, and Galina.
While more people start to fill the room, Galina looks up from her work with a slow, owlish blink. A sidelong look is spared to Pralius with a flat, "With firelizards being what they are, it never hurts to double-check." A few oil-cloths are retrieved and set aside on a tray, with the young woman considering the items laid out. "That is correct. No need for the gloves — particularly since the odds of them being utilized out in the field is rather low." Her lips purse. "I think that is sufficient," is her observation. The older healer at the back grunts a little, shifting in his seat and eventually rubbing at his knee with a faint grimace. "How many more do we anticipate arriving?" is queried from Galina to Pralius.
Pralius nods at Galina, "I keep forgetting how troublesome some of yours are." He turns again, glancing at the arriving and frowns, "Hard to say,b ut I think we're getting… weyrlings…" BUM BUM BUUUUUUUUM. He nods to his friends as they arrive, straightening the last few things before he leans over to Galina, "Is he going to be staring at us the whole time?
With a stride that could be called more of a lope, the lanky, thin frame of of Antyna roams into the infirmary after M'lo, her gold eyes sharply aware of everything as she heeds the Assistant Weyrlingmaster dutifully. Sharp, racy lines are feminized by her clothing and accessories, exotic like her, and perhaps the only thing keeping her from being mistaken for a boy. Leaning against a wall, her finely boned hand reaches up to brush her dark hair back from her dusky cheek as she pauses, straightening slightly from the half crouch she assumed upon stopping. If the sight of injured riders is sobering to the bluerider, it doesn't show, her gaze remaining as cool and collected as when she entered.
A few light clicks ensue as Jayashri begins jotting down some early observations into her machine, licking at her lips absently as her head bobs up and down between the screen and the contents of the table, attempting to identify what she recalls from her brief chore time in the infirmary as a Candidate. Then, after a few moments, the tapping ceases and the hazel eyes peek up attentively again, the rather short Apprentice doing her best to sit up tall, grunting with annoyance as a rather tall individual plops down right in front of her. Sigh. And she's up to move spots, trying to be discreet.
M'lo watches each of his charges for another second or so, and then nods. "Secondly, pay attention to this class. There's going to be a test later. And who knows when you might need this information someday, to save someone's life?" With that he looks around the room. Spotting Jayashri, he slides into the seat next to her new one, and lets the Weyrlings find their own chairs. "Hey," he whispers to her, and gives her a little wave.
Rozerna and H'lanin take M'lo's words into consideration, surely. Rozerna chews her lip thoughtfully, her gray eyes landing on each of the injured riders one at a time. And H'lanin gives them all a glance, too, but his hazel-eyed attention is everywhere at once. The youngest of those who impressed, he's only fifteen. The sight of the instruments makes him go pale. Rozerna and H'lanin find seats next to each other in the second row, and both of them try to look attentive.
"Yes." Galina tilts a look to Pralius, "Unless you would prefer I press my luck in attempting to get the CraftMaster here as well." And then she's silent while the seats are finally filled, the younger healer resting her fingertips on the table while she waits for a lull in conversation. Her voice lifts, though it retains that delightfully deadpan edge. "Welcome to first aid. This course is being overseen by Senior Journeyman Grigoriy and lead by Junior Journeyman Pralius and myself, Senior Apprentice Galina," with gestures made to indicate the individuals themselves. "We will be covering several topics this afternoon, starting with cuts, scrapes, and bruises. We will also cover strains and sprains, dislocations and breaks, as well as head injuries. We will conclude the lesson with a demonstration on moving an injured person and a questions-and-answers session after that." Pralius is eyed askance, leaving him room in which to add anything he'd like to say before the lesson begins in earnest.
Pralius nods to Galina, "Oh, no… that won't be necessary." He swallows, eyes widening a little. Then the intros start and he turns, nodding again to the gathered students with a smiles. As Galina finishes, he nods, "And please pay careful attention to each step as any one of you may be called on in the course of the games our your duties to help in these ways until a healer can assist."
There is a faint look of derision on Antyna's face that tugs the corner of her mouth up in a faint sneer as H'lanin goes pale, her eyes narrowing faintly before the expression falls into one of cool indifference as the introductions begin the lesson. For a moment it looks like the bluerider may opt to stand for the lesson, but after another second of lingering she flows with feline grace into a chair in the corner, slouching comfortably with her legs crossed at the knee. Well, let's get moving, shall we?
Finding a chair that is not blocked by some oafish Fortian, Ashri sinks down and resettles her computer in her lap, intently focused on it before M'lo settles in next to her and she turns to look and offer him a familiar grin. "Hey," she whispers in eager greeting, eyeing his new knot. "Assistant Weyrlingmaster?" Her beam grows. "Congratulations." For once her tones are enthusiastic but turned down in volume appropriately. "Maybe if I'm lucky I'll get to be in your class one day." She offers him a teasing wink before turning back to the lesson at hand. Notes! And the fingers begin a steady stream of quiet clicks.
R'oc has been quiet and then M'lo finishes and the healers begin to speak he look and payes close attention, though after a long moment of listening the young rider is fighting a yawn. He knows if he starts getting sleepy again when he's being instructed he will get reprimanded, but soon his fighting fails and he yawns. Though he turns and tries to hide if from M'lo keeping the yawn as quiet as possible. BUt soon as he does he looks around and though he might have turned from M'lo and possibly the healers were too busy to notice. The weyrleader's eyes are clearly locked on to him, Il'och tries to look away from the gaze of the healer.
M'lo's taken this class before, of course, but that doesn't mean he's not attentive, now. Half of his attention is given to the Healers at the front of the room, while the rest is split between his weyrlings, keeping an eye on them. Since they're behaving, he doesn't have anything to do, though. Until Il'och starts yawning. M'lo snaps his fingers and gives the bluerider a glare. He nudges Jayashri in her ribs. "Thanks," he whispers back. "But don't think I'd go soft on you." He might be teasing. He might not. But that's all he whispers. For now he sets a good example for the weyrlings and pays attention. From his pocket he pulls out a little notepad and a short pen, and he jots a couple of things down.
Rozerna and H'lanin hear that snap and sit up straighter, ready to take notes of their own.
A few people are motioned to in order to retrieve some kits to pass through the crowd so they can familiarize themselves with the contents. "Cuts, scrapes, and bruises will be the most common injury types incurred during the games," Galina begins, moving to lift several items in turn as she explains the steps. "Rinse out an open injury with water and follow with redwort. Either coat your fingers in oil or use an oil-cloth to apply the numbweed salve to the afflicted area. The oil deadens the numbweed's effect and renders you able to use your fingers later; failure to use oil will result in numb fingers later." The items are set down after they are shown, with the younger healer venturing, "Then bandage the injury. If an injury is bleeding excessively, apply pressure with a piece of linen or gauze to staunch the flow of blood and then seek a healer's assistance. Most injuries are minor enough, however, that they should heal quickly. If infection is believed to be present, seek a healer, rather than attempt to self-treat." Straightforward and to the point, indeed. A glance to Pralius is then given, signalling him to take the floor.
Pralius nods, displaying implements and jars as Galina references their contents. Once she finishes, he steps forward, "More serious are strains and sprains. For either of these you should see a healer. It is very difficult to identify the difference between a strain and a sprain. A strain is the result of pulling or tearing a muscle a sprain of doing so with a tendon. Both will result in pain when attempting to flex or or maneuver that joint. In these cases it is important to first wrap the injured area and ice it. Visiting healers is a must to verify nothing more serious has occurred, but during the interrim or if you cannot reach a healer right away you should also elevate the afflicted area. Barring any complications, both will heal relatively quickly so long as you don't further overwork the region."
Il'och snaps quickly back front paying close attentionto the healers, his eyes not looking at either M'lo or R'oc knowing they are both staring heavily. Then as the explanation goes on the man is paying close attention now…his eyes suddenly even without trying are closing, though his newly cut hair is not helping to cover his droopy eyes. He keeps shaking the drouzyness he is not used to all these classes, but soon the young rider is thinking about the times when he was able to sleep all day. Soon his eyes are drooping once again, and thats when R'oc takes a few steps forward and then leans in towards M'lo and whispers something to him. Though when he leans back up and returns to the entrance he nods to both Pralius and Galina apoloziing for interrupting.
Antyna shifts idly in her seat, without a notepad or writing implement, but clearly listening intently, though her lips move in a silent teasing that is easily shifted into a casually thoughtful licking of the lips of M'lo happens to look her way. Her gold eyes are certainly intent enough upon the Healers as they explain their methods for treatment, so it's hard to find fault with the feline bluerider, whose sharp gaze belies her languid posture.
Jayashri chortles quietly as the brownrider nudges her side. "I wouldn't have it any other way," she murmurs to him with a wry grin, shifting slightly adjust the heating laptop in her lap and lend it better circulation as she continues to input more notes, various bullets and indents appearing in her efforts with rapid key combinations that might well seem like magic to any of the uninitiated. Being a nerd has its perks, after all. "Looks like you've got your hands full, though," the Apprentice muses softly to her friend. "Don't envy you."
M'lo accepts the kit when it's passed to him and rifles through it quickly, already familiar with what's inside. He passes it on in order to take notes, his writing quick and kind of sloppy, though it is legible. R'oc whispers something to him and he turns toward the Weyrleader in surprise, though he does nod. Once more, he gives Il'och a steely-eyed look. When the young bluerider starts to doze off, M'lo reaches a long arm out and smacks him lightly on the back of the head with his hand. Just enough to sting, and wake him up. He happens to glance Antyna's way, and gives her a double-take at the lip-licking. He frowns at her, and turns back to the lecture.
Rozerna gets the first aid kit first, and pokes through the supplies inside. Her gray eyes are curious and bright. With a little grin, she passes it to H'lanin. He swallows loudly but pokes through like his classmate did. He hasn't regained any of his color, and his hazel eyes dart from the kit in his hands to everyone around him, looking to see what they do. Rozerna watches him be nervous for a few seconds, and finally nudges him, making a little shooing gesture to get him to pass it on. Finally, H'lanin gets the hint and does so, quite relieved. They both stare when M'lo smacks Il'och for dozing off.
Meanwhile the first aid kits make their rounds, with Galina moving from her post behind the table to start her slow, measured rounds among the rows. Keen, pale eyes are fixed on the items in question, tracking them with all the sharpness that one might expect of this particular healer. She pauses periodically near those who feel a need to whisper back and forth, her mien set in an inscrutable mask. Disapproving? Observing? It's hard to say with any certainty. Back in his chair, Grigoriy grunts again, though the sound is just a faintly pained one; no comments thus far from the elder, grizzled and bespectacled healer, though he does work at his knee again with his palms.
Pralius nods slightly, absorbing the banter of his students with a slight discomfort, then he glances at Grigoriy for a moment before continuing, "Breaks and dislocations are considerably worse." He's begun a slow, careful pace in front of the 'class' retrieving a splint and a heavy bandage, "Once again in either case a healer should be sought as soon as possible, though they are still not nearly so severe as head and spine injuries when deciding who to help first. Dislocations are often repaired by simply resetting the joint into its proper conformation, but there is a great risk of breaking some of the thinner bony protuberances or causing further damage to the soft tissue if this is done by a novice. Instead, the joint should be immobilized until a healer can properly reset it. A break should be dealt with similarly, however it may be necessary to immobilize a long bone or region which is what splints and bandages are good for." He indicates each in turn, "The splint or splints should be placed first perpendicular to the break as best as possible, then affixed to the limb with the bandage until a healer can verify and reset the bone. In the case of more awkward bones, such as ribs, the entire region should be wrapped, even if you're uncertain the rib is broken, in order to stabilize it and prevent further damage. Broken bone begins knitting together within moments. Before even a day has past the bone will likely have to be re-broken if it is mis-set, so there must be no delay in seeking the help of an experienced healer. The healing time for a dislocation is relatively short, a matter of hours for many joints and only days for some of the most unpleasant. Breaks take much longer to heal, usually several months, and must be set and hard-casted by a healer to guarantee a full recovery. Other bones, such as those of the head, neck, and back, are treated very differently," he inclines his head to Galina, indicating for her to take the floor.
Fingertips tick in punctuation with the cadence of the Healers' words, as if in anticipation, Antyna affecting her usual bored expression despite her hawkish eyes. Those golden globes do flick briefly toward her superior, a faint and equally brief smirk playing across her lips as her fellow bluerider is smacked across the back of the head by M'lo. And then it's eyes forward again, with a slow and quiet stretch before returning to her slouched position, fingertips now drumming silently across her knee.
The weyrleader watches M'lo keeping the young one's paying attention to the healers as they teach. Il'och suddenly ooofs and his hand goes to the back of his head. "Whad'i do?" The young man says towards M'lo, then turns around and grumbles something but his eyes back on the lesson. His pen goes up and he begins to take notes…or possibly just making sure he does something to stay awake. The bronzer by the door chuckles and then listens and his eyes widen and he hrms, showing he didn't remember some of those things.
Hey, it's a first aid kit! How exciting! Jayashri picks through the contents of the box with her usual attention to the details, mirth at bubbling memories leading to a floating chuckle arising from her throat before she passes the kit down to the next unfortunate victim. M'lo's authoritative smack has a further burble of amusement forthcoming, idly fading into silence as the classroom seems to shuffle awkwardly as the kits are milled about the room, the Computer Crafter taking the cover of rustling to type up a series of fresh notes. It never hurts to be prepared, after all.
While Pralius begins wrapping up his end of the dislocations talk, Galina's closing the last few steps necessary to bring her behind the table in front of the class. "Injuries of the neck, spine, and head are the most grievous. Head injuries can result in concussions or worse, so be sure to keep the person alert and aware as much as possible until they have been assessed by a healer. Signs of concussion can include dizziness, nausea and vomiting, tinnitus, loss of balance, and, most importantly, headache." Pause. "Additionally, keep an eye out for shock. Signs of shock include anxiety, restlessness, an irregular pulse and respiration, cool and clammy skin, fatigue, disorientation, and dry mouth. Back and neck injuries can result in paralysis. In any case where injury to the neck, back, or head is suspected, healers must be informed. Moving a person with such injuries is not generally recommended unless you are supervised by healers. In the event a healer cannot easily be retrieved, then it is imperative that the back, neck, and head are in proper alignment to prevent further injury." There's a subtle jerk of her head to a few other things on the table, a mute indication to Pralius to prepare for the final part of the session.
Rozerna folds one arm across her stomach, reaching her other up to idly tuck a strand of cornsilk blonde hair behind one ear with the tip of a finger. Those gray eyes of hers are certainly intent on Pralius, watching the man's movements with great curiosity as the tip of one booted foot bobs along absently in time to his words. That is until the word " bony protuberance" comes into the lecture, along with other choice words, that effectively breaks her concentration. A soft snort of laughter breaks free from Rozerna's lips rather unexpectedly and she immediately covers her mouth with one hand, trying to stifle the sound. Still, her shoulders shake with the effort to hold back as she sinks low in her seat, a bit of pink rising to her cheeks. Maybe M'lo won't notice.
Dutifully, M'lo takes his notes, though he glances up every now and then to look at his Weyrlings and make sure they're doing the same. The fact that Antyna isn't taking any notes at all gets a disapproving look. Silently, he tears off a few blank pages from his little notebook, and grabs an extra pen. These supplies he passes to the female bluerider, with a pointed expression. Il'och's question gets an eyebrow-raise. "Pay attention," M'lo says in a quiet voice. "You /will/ be tested on this. If you fall asleep again, you're going to owe me five extra laps /and/ I'll make you wash the other weyrling's dragons tomorrow." Rozerna's laughter has him whipping around and giving her a steely-eyed look. Up goes that eyebrow, and down go the corners of his mouth.
H'lanin's face goes even paler, and the freckles on his cheeks stand out in stark relief. He starts to breathe very deeply and slowly, and there's sweat starting to bead on his forehead. That he wipes off with the back of his sleeve. He glances next to him at Rozerna, looking at her face, and at her notes as if seeking reassurance from both. His handwriting is shakey and nearly unreadable. He gives a nervous laugh upon overhearing M'lo chastize Il'och. But then, Galina says something he doesn't understand. Hesitantly, his hand goes up. "Ti - tinnitus?" he squeaks.
Pralius nods at Galina's jerk and moves, retrieving stretcher and stabilizer blocks and bands. The first aid kits are carefully gathered as he returns to the table. The first aid kits are stacked and set to the back of the table with the jars of cream and salve so he can place the stretcher there where it can be easily viewed.
Il'och then grumbles some more but makes sure to make it real quiet and when Rozerna's laugh reaches him he glares at her and then the pen goes to the paper again. And if anyone is paying attention there is a comical picture of M'lo with an overexaggerated head yelling, a giant hand added in there. Though next to it his pen is drawing a picture of Rozerna and she isn't done yet.
"Tinnitus is more commonly known as ringing in the ears. Some compare it to the sound of a tuning fork that is constantly buzzing in their head." Thusly is H'lanin's question quickly caught and the answer returned with mechanical swiftness from Galina. With Pralius getting everything else together, the younger healer straightens, the line of her mouth set into unreadability. "We require one volunteer for this demonstration. Which of you would prefer to do it?" At least she's giving an option, though her gaze settles — perhaps uncomfortably — on the shaking H'lanin. Or maybe it's on Rozerna, the giggling one. Either way.
Pralius smiles more invitingly than Galina's almost huntress grin, "We'll just be immobolizing you as a demonstration. No medicines or salves will be applied." He picks up one of the blocks, "We'll use these to keep the head and limbs from moving, preventing further damage to the most sensitive parts our our bodies."
Rozerna makes a few more strangled laughing noises, nearly dropping her paper and pen as she hunches even further down into her seat. Crinkling noises sound as she makes a grab for the paper, somehow managing to pull the small stack back onto her lap as she takes in a deep, shaky breath. Thankfully by then she's managed to get her laughter under control and, with a bright and cheery smile to M'lo, she tries to catch up on her notetaking - a few hastily taken lines are put onto her paper about bony protuberances and spinal injuries. then, letting out a brief sigh, she manages to give H'lanin a reassuring smile now that her gigglefit is over. This time she tries to go back to her former studiousness, though, only to catch sight of the cartoon of M'lo being drawn by Il'och. Another snort of laughter breaks free and Rozerna ends up having to bite her lip to stifle the return of the giggles. She's barely able to stop as she notices Galina looking towards her and H'lanin. "M-me … ? Or … or … h-him?" she asks, laughter still in her voice, though she does glance speculatively on the brownrider next to her.
M'lo grins. Evilly. "Rozerna," he says. "You're up." He casts a stern eye at his other weyrlings, though. And then he notices something, prompted by Rozerna's extra giggles. M'lo is an artist, and he knows the difference between writing and drawing. Quick as a flash, he snatches the drawing out of Il'och's hand. His face darkens, but he takes the time to take three deep breaths and let them out slowly. "Out," he orders. "To the barracks with you. I'll decide your punishment with Meo later."
H'lanin looks rather faint with relief that he wasn't drafted for the job. He shrinks down in his seat and scribbles away. The scene with Il'och has him staring with enormous hazel eyes.
Paper? Antyna looks at the offered pages with something that borders very closely on derision. But then her features school into an appropriately meek expression — even if her eyes tell another tale — and she takes the paper and pen and begins to dutifully take "notes". Whether it's actual words or simply scrawling it's hard to say with the hard, short strokes of her hand, her gaze flickering between paper and lecture. Well, at least she /seems/ busy. And for now, that will hopefully be enough for the zealous brownrider.
"Rozerna, then." Galina's quick enough to catch the name as it is dropped and the healer lifts a hand to beckon the young woman over with a single, ominous crooking of a finger. "Please lay down on the board on your back, with your head toward Pralius." Thusly directed, the young woman takes a spot at the other end of the board, rigid-postured as ever and just watching with a seemingly unblinking gaze. "Sounds like the type that needs a fire lit under her," grunts Grigoriy from his observational spot, though the elder healer slowly forces himself to his feet to hobble over to a medicine cabinet. He starts to rummage for something or another, but don't mind him any.
Pralius glances over at Grigoriy, but nods to Galina. Moving to the indicated side of the stretcher, the lanky healer motions to Rozerna much more politley and pleasantly. Hey, he's even smiling. One hand idly re-adjust the backboard, making sure that it's laying flat on the table, and carefully adjusting the head-slab based on an estimate of the girl's height.
Jayashri is at least taking genuine notes, as compared to some of the younger folk about the room. Her note taking is so intent, in fact, that she has become unresponsive to those about her. Ah, well, at least it's clear who to go to after the fact for those dreaded take home quizzes. In the meanwhile, Ash is content to sit and input her incoming data with the rapid whir of clicking keys. Don't mind her.
Il'och suddenly looks as the paper in front of him suddenly is snatched his eyes go wide as he realizes just what trouble he's in. "Uh…but…" Oh no M'lo is breathing and suddenly tells him to leave. He stands up and walks the eyes of the bronzer as he has to walk past him, the serious stern look being cast down. He turns back and quickly says as if to help him. "I wasn't done…" But then he's out and the bronzer at the door laughs turning away so the weyrlings don't see him laugh.
Rozerna gasps for breath and gulps, trying to get her giggles under control. "Y-yes sir," she manages between laughs, wobbling a little as she pushes herself to her feet. There's a lot of crinkling and rustling of papers as she settles her notes onto the seat of her chair. By the time she straightens up, pushing her pale blonde hair out of her face, she's managed to control herself again. That is, except for the faint hiccups that plague her every half a minute or so - it's what she gets for laughing so much. Thankfully she doesn't catch sight of Il'och's half-finished drawing of her, considering the boy is asked to leave soon after. Even so, Galina's crooking finger nearly sets Rozerna off again, but she maintains an impassive face as she goes over to the board. Without further ado, she climbs on and lies down as instructed, smoothing her hands over her clothing. "Is this okay?" she manages, peering up at the healers apprehensively with her grey eyes. It comes out relatively calm, except for the slight hiccup that interrupts her halfway through.
That Antyna takes the paper and at least pretends to write is enough for M'lo. He ignores her, in favor of H'lanin and Rozerna… and making sure that Il'och leaves as commanded to. He shrugs at R'oc as if to say, Kids these days. Then he turns back to the lesson.
H'lanin tries to calm his own breathing, goggling a little bit as Il'och leaves. He curiously watches Rozerna climb into the contraption on the table. He bursts into a high-pitched, nervous giggle when she hiccoughs.
Blank-faced, Galina just watches, with the recommendation, "Take a deep breath and hold it. Then release it slowly and repeat it. That will remedy the hiccups." She reaches for the young woman's feet, with her gaze shifting from Rozerna to Pralius, then. "Even if you do not have blocks to stabilize, you can use your hands to brace the patient's head. Alternately, you can use towels or rolled up cloth to serve the same purpose as the blocks." And then she's just waiting for Pralius, while she prepares to help situate Roz' body in case she's misaligned.
Pralius makes another slight adjustment to the positioning of the head portion of the board, "It's very important, also, that the head board not be pulled out too far or the patient can sag, causing further damage." When Galina mentions bracing the head with hands, he demonstrates this, carefully, also shifting Rozerna's body slightly so that she's completely aligned with Galina's help. "If you're lucky enough to have use of a body board like this one, you'll find that there are already interlocking slots for both blocks and bands," he sticks a finger indicatively through one of the slots before he continues, "Securing the head and neck must come first," he picks up a soft, arch-shaped block, "This is used to pillow the neck and keep it in anatomical position." He slides it into place then picks up two squarish blocks, "One of these goes on either side of the head near the ear, like so," he slides these into place as well, "Then the torso can be secured with straps." He nods to Galina for the discussion of securing the lower regions of the body.
Rozerna inhales deeply and obediently clamps her lips shut, trying her best to hold her breath under the circumstances. Not much good it does, though, as muffled hiccups continue periodically through the lecture, making her chest jerk a bit erratically. Screwing her face up, she tries to continue holding her breath but to no avail. In a gust she lets it out and breaks out into a laugh - though who knows what the healers said this time to set off her gigglefit. A quick glance at M'lo, though, is enough to sober her and she obediently lies still on the board, squeezing her eyes shut. It doesn't stop the hiccups though. Hic. Pause. Hic. Pause. Hic.
The weyrling's efforts at staying silent are noted by Galina, but no further words are said on her part with regards to the topic. Instead, the younger healer gestures to the various straps and states, "Arms should be laid down to rest alongside the body if at all possible. They should be strapped into place separately," and she moves to do so, working the straps deftly. "The legs are last. Straps are here," she motions to about mid-thigh on the young woman, "and here," at the ankles. Both series of straps are then fastened. "Ensure that the straps are snug, but not too tight. Enough to keep the patient from jostling, but not to cut off bloodflow. By now, the individual should be ready to move on a three-count. Always move in tandem with your fellow teammates." She reaches for the hand holds and looks to Pralius. "Whenever you are ready to begin the count." And when the three is reached, she'll lift — not a moment before.
M'lo watches carefully as Pralius and Galina position Rozerna on the board and demonstrate immobilizing the head and neck. He takes a couple of notes. The paper he confiscated from Il'och is folded neatly and put into his jacket pocket. Evidence.
H'lanin scribbles his shakey-handed notes and watches the demonstration. He's not sweating any more, though he's still pale beneath his freckles.
The weyrling's efforts at staying silent are noted by Galina, but no further words are said on her part with regards to the topic. H'lanin is considered from the corner of her eye, but simply noted for now. Instead, the younger healer gestures to the various straps and states, "Arms should be laid down to rest alongside the body if at all possible. They should be strapped into place separately," and she moves to do so, working the straps deftly. "The legs are last. Straps are here," she motions to about mid-thigh on the young woman, "and here," at the ankles. Both series of straps are then fastened. "Ensure that the straps are snug, but not too tight. Enough to keep the patient from jostling, but not to cut off bloodflow. By now, the individual should be ready to move on a three-count. Always move in tandem with your fellow teammates." She reaches for the hand holds and looks to Pralius. "Whenever you are ready to begin the count." And when the three is reached, she'll lift — not a moment before.
And of Grigoriy? He's off in one of the curtained off areas, grumbling faintly about bad weather incoming and bad joints and all that lovely old-people stuff.
Pralius smirks slightly, nodding along with Galina's demonstration. His hands grip the handles of the board carefully, "One…. Two… Three.." he lifts slowly and carefully in tandem with Galina, "In addition to working in tandem, it is essential to keep the backboard as flat as possible, any tipping or swaying could cause further damage to the head, neck, or spine. It is just as importantly to lower them in tandem." he nods to Galina, letting her count to lower.
Rozerna's eyes suddenly flutter open at the sudden movement of the board beneath her, a tiny gasp of surprise escaping her. Just as soon as the breath comes in, it comes out in a short sigh of relief when she realizes what's happening. A good side-effect of the momentary surprise though - no more hiccups. For a few seconds she waits, apprehensive and expecting the dratted things to return. But, when they don't, she gives a confident little smile. No more giggles either.
M'lo suppresses a smirk at Rozerna's gasp. He glances to his other Weyrlings, to make sure that they're taking notes. Or, in Antyna's case, pretending to. Satisfied with that, he turns back to the Healers.
"In the event that the patient needs to vomit, you can tilt the board enough to permit the fluid to drain and still keep their body in alignment." Galina keeps her end in perfect alignment with Pralius' and keeps it up until he nods to her. "If there is a need to lift from — or lower to — the ground, be sure to do so by crouching and using your legs, rather than bending at the waist." That said, the young woman nods, once, to Pralius and then starts the three-count to lower the board once more. After the board is lowered, she's quick to start undoing the straps, intoning, "And that concludes the demonstration. Are there any questions?"
H'lanin titters at Rozerna's gasp, and some of the color comes back into his face.
Pralius lowers in unison. They probably had a class on this at the Hall. He, too, quickly removes blocks and straps, "If your neck is stiff, Rozerna, rub it gently, but try not to pop it." Once the volunteer is fully released, he turns as well, nodding to the class.
Rozerna breaks into a snort of laughter at the mention of vomit, though manages to stifle the outburst quickly enough. Once she's freed, she's quick to sit up, rubbing a bit at her neck. "Thanks," she manages, offering Pralius and Galina a smile as she gets back to her feet. Before she can be recruited for anything else, she hurries back to her seat and retrieves her notes, sitting down. Nope. Don't ask her to do anything else. She just crouches over her notes, quickly making neat notes on what happened while she was strapped to the board. See? She's busy and doesn't have any questions, either.
Grigoriy shuffle-limps out of the curtained off area and returns to where he was seated before, smelling strongly of some ointment or another. He slumps back into his chair, pulls out a clipboard, and jots a few things down on it with a huff and a grump. Galina disregards the noises, simply nodding to the group as a whole and then moving to retrieve the kits. She'll let Pralius handle the dismissal; she has things to gather, count, and organize after all … and that will keep her quite, quite busy for a while.
M'lo finishes taking his notes. H'lanin waits until Rozerna pops up and then rushes to her. "Were you scared?" he stage-whispers.
Pralius chuckles at the weyrlings, "Well, /that/'s not a question I can answer." He glances over as Grigoriy re-enters, his nose wrinkling slightly at the smell, then he nods, "If there are no questions, I hope you enjoyed your time with us and, as always, the Weyr's healer staff is at your service."
Rozerna lifts her notes a little, peering over the top of them towards M'lo before she turns to grin at H'lanin. "No," she says with confidence, a bit of a giggle still in her voice. Though she does pause and laugh a little more, her grey eyes bright, "Okay. Maybe just a /little/ at the end, there." Peering over her notes, she grins even wider at Pralius' words and rises to her feet, "That means we can go!" She plucks at H'lanin's sleeve and, with a salute to M'lo, she announces, "Thanks, sir, for letting us come here. My lifemate needs feeding, though." Then, with a final bright smile, and a laugh, she hurries out, her cornsilk hair bobbing behind her with each step.
