Israel 5.

July 8, 2026,

Hi Everyone,

I am at La Mer restaurant on the beach waiting to be served my salad and beer for the evening. After last nights victory of Argentina over Egypt in the last seconds of the game, everything else today seems to be a denouement.

My 2nd day with MDA today was rather routine. We had 3 or 4 calls that were cancelled on the way to the incident. Our 1st call of importance involved a middle aged male experiencing tachycardia. He walked into a government clinic resembling our CLSCs but much more equipped to handle minor to major cases, before calling an ambulance. The patient felt unwell and was found to have a pulse of 212 and a mildly elevated BP. He was sweating profusely but without chest pain. We diagnosed sinus tachycardia, started an IV, gave him 2 doses of adenosine and combined with a valsava manoeuvre, managed to get his pulse back down to 90. Had we been unsuccessful, and had he been unstable, we would have done a cardioversion and intubation if necessary in the ambulance. As usual everything proceeded efficiently with a well trained MDA staff. We transferred the patient to a hospital and learned that he had been discharged later in the day after seeing a cardiologist.

For the 2nd case we were called to a construction site where a worker had been injured. He had fallen backwards and reported pain in his hip. He had not lost consciousness. The white ambulance paramedics had already placed the patient on a back board and installed a neck collar for precaution. We walked up 5 stories, 3 flights of stairs for each story. We had to climb over several barriers. The paramedics carried up the equipment including a back board, an EKG cardioversion machine, a bag of medications and various other tools. I was happy to be able to carry myself up without help.

We re-examined the patient, changed the back board for a better one and placed him on a stretcher. He was totally immobilized. We then called the fire department who arrived with a hook and ladder truck. We placed the patient on a platform and lowered him 5 stories to our ambulance waiting below. We ran down the stairs to meet the stretcher and placed him in the ambulance. There must have been a dozen firemen, paramedics and other assistants present. Our chief paramedic took charge and quietly organized the rescue gaining the respect of all present by his efficient attitude and his know how. It was really fun and impressive to watch.

Our last case of the day was a small child who had vomited and had diarrhea. He was possibly mildly dehydrated. It was the parents1st child so the mother was notably concerned. We transported the child to an children’s hospital for observation.

I swam to the breakwater and then ran 5k. 2 17 year old fellows ran with me for half the distance. They were impressed that I was working as a volunteer with MDA. They asked me numerous questions about antisemitism in Canada. When you go to hospitals here, and to universities you observe how much the diaspora has donated to Israel to support the country. Our names are seen everywhere as donors. When Oct. 7 occurred, I knew that the world would support Israel for 2 weeks. Israel had to end the war in 3 weeks or lose support. The war has dragged on for various reasons for over 2 years. Israel has lost the propaganda war and we, living if the diaspora are paying the consequences with the unprecedented rise in antisemitism not seen since the 1930s. Israel must do more to support the diaspora or risk losing its support. Qatar spends billions of dollars to support American universities and turn the tide of support against Israel. Israel must find a way to counter act this growing problem.

Love,

Brian