Resuscitation
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We report the survival of a multiply injured patient with exanguinating haemorrhage and an arterial pH of 6.5, following a road vehicle crash. The previously healthy 38 years old male driver veered off the motorway and collided with a tree. The ambulance arrived at the scene 9 min after being called by an eyewitness and, following rapid extrication from the wreckage; the patient arrived in hospital 27 min later (with a GCS of 6), and was immediately intubated. ⋯ Several factors may have contributed to the patient's survival: rapid retrieval from the scene; early intubation with excellent subsequent oxygenation (thus avoiding the dangerous combination of hypoxia and acidosis with synergistic influence on cardiac depression) and limited initial fluid resuscitation in the emergency department with prompt surgical intervention and vigorous restoration of organ perfusion after surgical haemostasis. Immediate operative haemostasis, coupled with restricted fluid administration beforehand and vigorous restoration of organ perfusion afterwards is now replacing the old resuscitation paradigm. Perhaps this shift in practice has helped this patient to survive.