Kalama man burned after cigarette ignites oxygen machine
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 1:25 AM PDT
By Leslie Slape
Printable version
E-mail this articleA 58-year-old Kalama man burned his face and a finger after his smoking habit caught his oxygen therapy device on fire.
The man, whose name was not released, told Cowlitz Fire District 5 medical crews that this was the second time his smoking had ignited his oxygen Nasal Cannula and burned his face.
Crews were dispatched at 6:05 a.m. March 27 to Camp Kalama RV Park. Crews found the man’s trailer door open and smoke coming out of the doorway. The man had extinguished the fire inside the trailer with a fire extinguisher before the fire department’s arrival.
The man suffered first-degree burns to one finger and possible second-degree burns to his face, according to the fire department. He was also treated for difficulty breathing from smoke inhalation.
The patient was transported to St. John Medical Center for treatment. Because of privacy laws, The Daily News was unable to obtain information on his condition.
District 5 Capt. Terry Sinkler said the man was released from the hospital, but aid crews took him back to St. John early Thursday morning, a week after the fire, for treatment of breathing difficulties resulting from the smoke inhalation. Sinkler said the fire department had no further information.
Chimney wrote on Apr 8, 2008 7:35 AM:
" Seems as though being on oxygen would make one highly consider quitting smoking. Having your lifesaving device burn your face due to smoking should make one highly consider quitting. By the second time it explodes something should change. People quit smoking all the time, not saying its easy, but give it up. "
Warning Labels wrote on Apr 8, 2008 8:29 AM:
" While I feel and hope the person heals and gets well soon, I can also see this as a form of "evolution". Get rid of the warning labels, and let nature takes its course. The smarter, stronger of us will survive! :} "
???? wrote on Apr 8, 2008 8:34 AM:
" Considering the number of times I have seen the same scenario, smoking and on oxygen, I just don't get it. Truly. Can someone explain to me why these people participate in therapy (oxygen) meant to extend their lives when they are so bent to throw their lives away with the smoking? I'm sorry to see all you doing this suffer so. I wish I understood... "
really? wrote on Apr 8, 2008 8:40 AM:
" Perhaps if he received a fine or citation for each time he caught himself and his O2 equipment on fire, he may reconsider. Seriously? you need oxygen to breath, but you smoke? Pathetic. "
Wow wrote on Apr 8, 2008 8:56 AM:
" " He was also treated for difficulty breathing from smoke inhalation." Isn't that ironic.
"
"
Won't Work wrote on Apr 8, 2008 9:17 AM:
" Fines won't work, nor will the scathing comments from onlookers or those who have never been a smoker. Smoking is harder to quit than heroin. It is an addiction that infiltrates every part of a person's life, even when they are dying from it. And, there is no inpatient treatment. Most smokers have family and friends who smoke, and they cannot get away from it. On average, people try to quit more than a half dozen times before they become moderately successful. By the time they are on oxygen, they don't care anymore to go through the hell of quitting, knowing they will die anyway. "
To: Won't Work wrote on Apr 8, 2008 9:21 AM:
" Hey now! Qutting cold turkey WORKS! A person just has to really want it! I am proof!! Don't be using excuses as a crutch to just keep smoking and blowing yourself up, for pete's sake! Suck it up, people! "
J wrote on Apr 8, 2008 10:45 AM:
" I agree with Won't Work...and I'm not a smoker. People are quick to judge others, for sure. But, if you haven't walked in their shoes, try to be nice. "
Ruth wrote on Apr 8, 2008 10:48 AM:
" Won't work is right I believe. I have never used heroin but have smoked. The first time I quit successfully for twenty years and ended up working with a person who smoked four packs a day. I started smoking again. It took me two years to build up the will to quit again. It's been over ten years now and I hope I make it. Smoking is so habit forming I know of nothing as habit forming except possibly breathing. "
Taxes wrote on Apr 8, 2008 10:51 AM:
" Have EMS respond is my tax money - I have a few issues with some one burning their face a second time and I am paying for it.
NO MORE FREE HELP -
Quit already "
NO MORE FREE HELP -
Quit already "
TinaShoe wrote on Apr 8, 2008 10:53 AM:
" "Warning Labels" hit the nail on the head. I just hope the next time this happens, this 'wrink' (short for old smoking Wrinkle) doesn't kill any of his neighbors with his own stupidity. Would be fitting if Cowlitz Fire District #5 could send him a bill for services rendered. "
Citizen wrote on Apr 8, 2008 11:04 AM:
" Cold turkey is the only way really. It is such a shock to the system and is such a powerful reminder of just how awful the poisons really are. The thought of going through the pain of another cold turkey is enough to never smoke again.
I agree with cold turkey. You have GOT to get the poisons out of your system and this is why the patch and other forms of re introducing nicotine will NEVER EVER work.
I know. I did it... 15 years ago. And I am cured. "
I agree with cold turkey. You have GOT to get the poisons out of your system and this is why the patch and other forms of re introducing nicotine will NEVER EVER work.
I know. I did it... 15 years ago. And I am cured. "
Tazer Baby wrote on Apr 8, 2008 11:14 AM:
" You wonder why your physicians are so frustrated when you talk to them during your office visits. It's behavior like this that is becoming the norm and not the exception. Why work so hard to try and help someone who has absolutely no interest in helping himself...the Hippocratic Oath only goes so far. "
Study wrote on Apr 8, 2008 11:29 AM:
" There needs to be an investigation and senate hearing on this one. Something's wrong and we tax payers need to hire professionals to tell this poor person stuff he already knows. The aid responders obviously needs counsuling and probably the doctors too. Wow, so much drama and so little time. "
been there wrote on Apr 8, 2008 11:44 AM:
" When a person knows they are dying, I say let them do what makes their time happy. Quitting if you have copd wont change a thing if youre past a certain point. all they can do is make you comfortable and if smoking does that, so be it. they are probably already full of guilt, knowing that if theyd quit smoking when they were young theyd be around to enjoy their grandkids and stuff. "
Our healthcare system is broken wrote on Apr 8, 2008 11:45 AM:
" Imagine that... this guy is getting insurance coverage to act like a fool while many more deserving, hardworking people can't even afford a basic checkup. You gotta love our wonderful health care system! "
Ironic wrote on Apr 8, 2008 12:03 PM:
" He said "suck it up," while referring to quitting smoking... that's funny! "
A little common sense wrote on Apr 8, 2008 12:36 PM:
" I thought most people know to NEVER light up a cigarette near an O2 machine. I just assumed this was a very common sense thing that everyone was aware of. We obviously need more education about this. The subject came up between some friends and I last week and I was very suprised that they had never heard of this. While I do feel very sorry for this man, it is hard to be too sympathetic. "
Jackie wrote on Apr 8, 2008 12:45 PM:
" Makes me shake my head. Frankly I have a real problem with tax payer dollars paying for smoking related health problems. Perhaps one of the largest preventable sicknesses a person can inflict on him. Funny, insurance companies can deny life benefits for those who have committed suicide, but thanks to cigarette companies and their well paid politicians the plague of smoking continues. I say in order to qualify for ANY government assistance they must quit smoking or pay the bills themselves. Why should most of us subsidies these addicted fools. Furthermore, triple current tax on cigarettes. I'm a proud liberal saying this. "
Addiction is a bitch wrote on Apr 8, 2008 1:07 PM:
" When I smoked (I quit 20 years ago) I always knew how addicted I was because I would still smoked with a strep throat. Yah, it hurt like a SOB, but I did it anyway. The poor guy is addicted to nicotine; it is what it is. "
Kelso Guy wrote on Apr 8, 2008 3:47 PM:
" How hard would it be if I said I'd give you $100,000 if you quit for six months? Or how about if someone put a gun to your head and said quit or die? Wouldn't be that difficult now would it? Willpower is always there, you just have to do it. "
Saving Face wrote on Apr 8, 2008 3:59 PM:
" He's addicted, he's dying, he just wants what makes him happy... blah blah blah. Seriously folks, how hard is it to turn off the O2 machine to have what 'you need.' Shall he smoke and burn his face off or turn off the machine and walk away to smoke. Hmmm... And don't tell me this was a poor attempt as suicide!! "
Reader wrote on Apr 8, 2008 4:28 PM:
" I keep warning my mother-in-law about this but, nooooooo . . . she shrugs it off. Maybe this will "spark" some reality into her own little world. "
Mr. Grim wrote on Apr 8, 2008 4:34 PM:
" Addiction to breathing + addiction to nicotine = addiction to stupidity "
Mr. Pragmatist wrote on Apr 8, 2008 4:35 PM:
" Thank you for the laugh, TDN. The funny pages aren't so funny anymore so this lightens my day. "
to "Our healthcare system is broken" wrote on Apr 8, 2008 6:12 PM:
" Who said anything about having insurance coverage? Try reading the article before you spout off there skippy! "
Cold Turkey = Clean Break wrote on Apr 8, 2008 7:12 PM:
" I quit cold turkey when I got pregnant, my husband stopped smoking in the house and quit cold turkey the day our daughter was born 17 years ago. We tried many ways before that. If you want to quit you just do it and don't be so dramatic about it! Really it boils down to self control - like most things. "
Tex from Cougar wrote on Apr 8, 2008 9:00 PM:
" LEAVE HIM ALONE!! I can't believe how heartless all you people are. Smoking is a disease and you can't just quit. Nicotine is an additive agent, just like alcohol and other drugs. Why don't you people educate yourselves on what you are talking about?? I'm sure this poor guy would quit smoking and if he had the resources. Instead, too much money is wasted around here on stupid things like skateboard parks and the like. Let's put of this money into really helping out those who need it! "
To Tex from Cougar wrote on Apr 8, 2008 9:57 PM:
" You hit my biggest pet pieve when people call behavior a disease rather than a choice. You do not choose to have an illness. You choose to pick up a drink, a cigarette, gamble etc. You can save your typing fingers if you would like to point out the medical professions opinion because I don't choose to believe it. I feel their opinion is tainted due to the fact that labeling it a disease is money in their pocket (ie. insurance covers it as a disease, they would not if it were called a choice) I also had sympathy until the part that this is the second time. "
jackie wrote on Apr 8, 2008 10:56 PM:
" Sorry Tex, I don't buy it. both my grandparents were 5 pack a day smokers and they quit cold turkey. Grandma was not a strong willed person. But when she was told to quit or die, she was sufficiently motivated. She didn't have the patch or therapy or anything else, just motivation. Yes this is an addiction, but not one that can not be stopped. Problem is a lot of people like you like to smoke, or don't want to inconvenience yourself by making the effort to quit. You people choose to start smoking even with all the evidence that smoking kills not joust you but those around you. You choose to cost society for your selfish attitudes thinking that this would somehow make you sexy. You are just plain foolish and I don't want to pay for your idiocy. "
Will Power wrote on Apr 8, 2008 11:11 PM:
" I smoked for 25 yrs.. I started when I was a young teenager. I "tried" to quit
scores of times. But the fact was, I really wasn't serious. March 19,1983 I smoked my last cigarette. COLD TURKEY. I just made up my mind and did it. I became a militant non-smoker and know that Tex from Cougar is just blowing smoke you know where. "
scores of times. But the fact was, I really wasn't serious. March 19,1983 I smoked my last cigarette. COLD TURKEY. I just made up my mind and did it. I became a militant non-smoker and know that Tex from Cougar is just blowing smoke you know where. "
geeky wrote on Apr 9, 2008 12:18 AM:
" That's really pathetic. Turn the O2 off before you light dude!!! "
Another ex-smoker wrote on Apr 9, 2008 8:44 AM:
" I agree that smoking addiction IS NOT A DISEASE. Too many people manage to quit after years and heavy addiction (multiple packs per day). I'm one of them. So's my husband, ex-husband, son, step-son, my mother, my father, my grandfather...and countless friends. All of us have in common one thing: WE ALL QUIT SMOKING - COLD TURKEY - AFTER YEARS OF SMOKING (More than 40 years for a couple of them!) So, get a grip and pull yer own short up. No excuses. "
Dear Jackie wrote on Apr 9, 2008 10:58 AM:
" If we apply that mentality, then I would vote for it - PROVIDED that the folks who make pigs out of themselves their entire lives and suffer from obesity, diabetes, heart and lung problems, cannot walk or move without an electric buggy are also placed in the same category. Quite frankly, I feel your statement was not well thought out considering that obesity-related care is more prevalent and costs much more than tobacco related care. And, IMHO, the obese are that way because they also lack the control to quit putting their hands to their mouths as well. "
Rosie to Jackie wrote on Apr 9, 2008 12:30 PM:
" Perhaps you would be willing to donate your pristine body to science so they could figure out how you can function with no heart?
Has it occured to you that maybe some of us started smoking BEFORE all these 'facts' were announced? Maybe you should go back and read the comments from Won't Work and Been There for a more human point of view. "
Has it occured to you that maybe some of us started smoking BEFORE all these 'facts' were announced? Maybe you should go back and read the comments from Won't Work and Been There for a more human point of view. "
Kelso Guy wrote on Apr 9, 2008 1:10 PM:
" I quit smoking after 20 years on January 1st this year - cold turkey is the only way. You just have to want it and then be stubborn with yourself. Everyone has the same amount of willpower, some just excuse themselves. "
Tazer Baby wrote on Apr 9, 2008 1:14 PM:
" Smoking is a disease??? Wow, that's a good one. I am not sure how you were able to, not only come up with that gem of a statement, but to apparently, actually believe it to be true. Let me assure you that smoking is as much a disease as shooting yourself in the head with a gun, is one. "
Jackie wrote on Apr 9, 2008 1:25 PM:
" Call it tough love if you want. Smoking amounts to taking a small amount of poison until it kills you. That is if you don't die from something else before hand. And its a fair comparison to fat people, Of which I am one. Yes I have diabetes as do numerous other members of my family, be they fat or skinny. In my case it is as much genetic as it is bad eating habits. Some people have metabolism problems that make them more susceptible to being overweight.
I have lost 75 lbs and am more active than ever. My A1C is at 6.8 and if you know anything about diabetes, you know those are numbers of someone who cares about themselves. I love to eat and cook, but I put it in its place. I have to tell myself that some food is poison and must be kept to a minimum. I want to see my eight year old son grow up and see my grandchildren someday. I resent the fact that I was denied knowing my grandparents due to their smoking. I plan to live into my 90's as have many other family members, some of whom had diabetes and were fat. I refuse to call myself a diabetic, because I wont let it define who I am. I wont let it control my long term goals and fun. I claim my future by making necessary changes to make my life more enjoyable. "
I have lost 75 lbs and am more active than ever. My A1C is at 6.8 and if you know anything about diabetes, you know those are numbers of someone who cares about themselves. I love to eat and cook, but I put it in its place. I have to tell myself that some food is poison and must be kept to a minimum. I want to see my eight year old son grow up and see my grandchildren someday. I resent the fact that I was denied knowing my grandparents due to their smoking. I plan to live into my 90's as have many other family members, some of whom had diabetes and were fat. I refuse to call myself a diabetic, because I wont let it define who I am. I wont let it control my long term goals and fun. I claim my future by making necessary changes to make my life more enjoyable. "
Jackie wrote on Apr 9, 2008 1:42 PM:
" FURTHERMORE!!! I think that it should be criminal to smoke in the presence of children. Nothing makes me cringe more than seeins a car full of kids, parent is smoking and the windows are closed trapping these kids and forcing them to breath second-hand smoke which some stuides suggest is even worse for you than it is for the actual smoker. Truly criminal! Choke on that! "
From "Skippy" wrote on Apr 9, 2008 4:20 PM:
" It doesn't take a rocket scientist to hypothesize that a man on a "oxygen therapy device" is probably being subsidized, if not partially, by some form of insurance. No where does it say he isn't being funded by insurance. My original statement was to point out that the insurance company will likely continue to fund this mental midget while other hard working, falling through the cracks people with families are passed over. So get off your high horse... "Skippy" "
Tazer Baby wrote on Apr 9, 2008 6:45 PM:
" To Skippy...I just need to know how you were able to get your comment to post at exactly, 4:20. That is cool, and you know what I mean. Anypoop...smoking has become very unaccepted in most social situations and by law, mandated wrong in many others. It's a natural evolution but it takes time. Time to run through generations of families until finally, noone is smoking anymore. People are eventually being weened off the legacy of smoking because in my opinion, that's what most of the on going smoking is. A legacy passed down, to others within the family, like the ability to build hot rods or hunt and fish. "My dad smoked and his dad smoked and so on and so on..." that's how this thing has evolved and now it is changing directions. That being said, it is still a choice and by no means or definition, a disease. "
One way or another wrote on Apr 9, 2008 7:36 PM:
" Every smoker quits cold turkey, either by choice while alive, or on their death bed. My mother chose to kill herself with her smoking instead of caring about her family while she was alive. It is disgusting that this man knowingly smokes while on oxygen. What a selfish, stupid habit. I hope it's worth the pain he most likely has caused or will cause his family. "
to from Skippy wrote on Apr 9, 2008 7:48 PM:
" Who gave you a license to turn fact into fiction? That's what's great about these forums... rocket scientists like you "hypothesizing" (gee, why wasn't that word in your original thesis?) an event into something that is 95% garbage (the part from people like you) and 5% truth - the simple facts as known at the time. So Skippy, my suggestion to you is to find a nice warm place to *c*ew yourself! "
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