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Okay. Just watched the video of George Floyd.
Years ago, I wrote my nursing dissertation on preventing restraint-related injury and death, disgusted upon learning about the death of Rocky Bennett in not unsimilar circumstances.
I have so many thoughts...
Years ago, I wrote my nursing dissertation on preventing restraint-related injury and death, disgusted upon learning about the death of Rocky Bennett in not unsimilar circumstances.
I have so many thoughts...
I’d avoided watching the clip. I’d seen the photo. Having read many case studies and having worked in secure mental health services I am trained in restraint - I know the mechanics, the risks, but also the rules of safe practice. I knew it would upset me.
And I was not ready.
And I was not ready.
Firstly #BlackLivesMatter 
Black lives matter
Black. Lives. Matter.
For the people at the back, that “don’t see colour”, BLACK LIVES MATTER
Black lives matter
Black. Lives. Matter.
For the people at the back, that “don’t see colour”, BLACK LIVES MATTER
Don’t come here with ALM. I can’t even bring myself to hashtag it and give it more trending time.
Black lives are being prematurely sabotaged and stolen, commonly by those of privilege. Every person is important. And that is why #BlackLivesMatter. Check your privilege. https://twitter.com/teasdalebakers/status/1266393067210395648
Black lives are being prematurely sabotaged and stolen, commonly by those of privilege. Every person is important. And that is why #BlackLivesMatter
. Check your privilege. https://twitter.com/teasdalebakers/status/1266393067210395648
Restraint-related death makes me so sad and angry when there are so many good practice measures out there to prevent catastrophe. And I knew the restraint of George Floyd would stir up those emotions in me. I was not wrong, I was crying within 15 seconds of the clip.
I had hoped for a second that the picture of the officer with his knee on George’s neck was an unfortunate photo angle, perhaps only there for a second as part of a fumble to a correct restraint position that wasn’t on the neck. I was wrong. I pleaded with my screen.
Restraint should not involve pressure on the neck, chest, abdomen or hips. There should be no deliberate action to impact breathing and circulation - essential activities to life.
Ultimately due to the anatomy and physiology of restraint, breathing and circulation emergencies can happen in the safest of techniques anyway. But I’ll come back to this later when we talk about monitoring.
I have never seen a restraint hold that involved kneeling on a neck. This can restrict breathing intake, blood supply, and potentially cause trauma or catastrophic/fatal injury to the neck.
Also never seen a restraint position that involved having your hands in your own pocket.
Also never seen a restraint position that involved having your hands in your own pocket.
This is not just about Chauvin. The second cop is just as negligent. He is complicit. There are points where NEITHER of them are looking at George. Someone should ALWAYS have eyes on to assess airway. They actively say he can breathe because he is talking.
Talking does not equal breathing compatible with staying alive.
“I can’t breathe”, “My stomach hurts”, “My chest hurts”, changed breathing, laboured breathing, accessory muscles. These are all signs that the restraint is unsafe. George displays all of them.
“I can’t breathe”, “My stomach hurts”, “My chest hurts”, changed breathing, laboured breathing, accessory muscles. These are all signs that the restraint is unsafe. George displays all of them.
George also seems to show some sudden strength towards the end. This is also a sign to stop. This is not resistance. This is a catecholamine rush. An activated fight or flight response. An attempt to extend life. Catecholamine rushes can be harmful in itself.
It is possible, when someone has become unresponsive in restraint, to successfully revive them. The first action is to come off of them. The second is to start CPR if needed. This is not specific to nursing. This is widely taught to all restraint-using professions.
Neither Chauvin or the second cop start CPR. They should be assessing and ready for this the moment they go hands on.
The success of CPR is directly linked to its timeliness. I cannot say George would have lived if they had started CPR on scene, but he could have.
The success of CPR is directly linked to its timeliness. I cannot say George would have lived if they had started CPR on scene, but he could have.
He almost definately would be alive if restraint had been avoided in the first place. The first restraint assessment is, can it be avoided/is it necessary?
George Floyd’s restraint was avoidable. It was unnecessary. He doesn’t resist arrest. Nor does he look theatening.
George Floyd’s restraint was avoidable. It was unnecessary. He doesn’t resist arrest. Nor does he look theatening.
The indignity of his death hits me hard. George Floyd is still being restrained by Chauvin as the medic checks for a (lack of) pulse.
They unceremoniously and carelessly drag him across the ground onto the stretcher. Everything about this is undignified.
They unceremoniously and carelessly drag him across the ground onto the stretcher. Everything about this is undignified.
Chauvin taunts George. He says “Get in the car”, and repeatedly George tells him that he will, yet Chauvin remains kneeling on his neck, still telling him to get in the car.
An uncomfortable truth, Chauvin taunts George in his last moments.
An uncomfortable truth, Chauvin taunts George in his last moments.
He goes onto to tell him “You can’t win”. George says to him “You’re gonna kill me”.
George seems to know where this is going. The “you can’t win” comment by Chauvin sits off to me. It seems... committed.
George seems to know where this is going. The “you can’t win” comment by Chauvin sits off to me. It seems... committed.
Tunnel vision in restraint is a real thing. Which is why we have teams/backup. The second cop should have acted. He could’ve pulled Chauvin off. He could’ve verbally challenged.
He could’ve opened the car door as a non-verbal challenge to Chauvin. He does none of these things.
He could’ve opened the car door as a non-verbal challenge to Chauvin. He does none of these things.
“Don’t do drugs, kids”...
What the even? This is unnecessary. Not relevant. Would this comment have been made if a white person was in George’s place...
What the even? This is unnecessary. Not relevant. Would this comment have been made if a white person was in George’s place...
Restraint should only be used for the shortest time as possible. This goes on for far too long. And was unnecessary to begin with. George Floyd could still be alive today if restraint wasn’t used. I use the term “could” because let’s not forget untimely death of Sandra Bland.
I am not anti-cop. There are good cops out there. Chauvin seems to have a pattern of behaviour and misconduct in the area of race and apprehension. There is nothing in the video that suggests good and safe practice to me, and that extends to Chauvin and his buddy.
I know as a nurse I speak from a position of privilege. Cops deal with different risk and therefore restraint practice is slightly different. But these basics in my tweet thread are the same across the professions.
Too many people have died in the literal hands of police - and in healthcare too. The UK has far better stats that the US in that regard. But there is still work to be done. Every restraint related death is a Never Event.
My heart goes out to George Floyd and his family. My heart goes out to the community of Minneapolis affected by these events and the riots. Not really sure how to end this tweet thread, other than I hope justice is served.
