ABSTRACT
A 20-year-old morbidly obese male is brought into the emergency department (ED) by an advanced life support ambulance after a college dormitory fire. The patient was rescued from his bedroom approximately 10 minutes after the initial alarm was sounded. He was found unconscious lying prone with heavy debris covering his upper chest and neck. He regained consciousness upon rescue and complained of increasing difficulty in breathing. Oxygen (O
the patient was placed on a long back board. Upon arrival to the ED, the patient is physically restrained by the paramedics because of combativeness. He is tachypneic and his O
his voice is hoarse. His beard and facial skin are covered by black soot, and he has a left lateral neck hematoma as well as left shoulder and chest abrasions.
