I know it’s “just” a comic but I feel obligated to let every reader know that the burnt toast thing is a weird myth.
FAST: Face, Arms, Speech, Time. Check their smile, check if they can hold up both arms, check if they have slurred speech or can speak at all, and call emergency services asap because every second matters. Have them rest peacefully while you wait for help.
There is potentially life saving medication that can even reverse some effects of a stroke, but it is time sensitive.
I never saw burnt toast as an EMT. But I have seen people exhibit lots of aphasia, (expressive/receptive). People say some weird shit when they get water in their ipod. Frankly it’s a pretty scary symptom because the patient KNOWS they are receiving or emitting incorrectly, but can’t do anything about it. I bet the burnt toast meme came from aphasia
Your description of what to look for is great. Time really matters, don’t “wait it out”. I’m looking at you 55+yo men that refuse to “make a fuss”.
Strokes are one of the most “oh shit let’s go” calls we ever ran. (Obviously massive trauma and heart attacks too)
I’m guessing the toast thing came around from the possibility of damage to or disturbing the olfactory nerves if there’s increased pressure on them like from the brain swelling (possibly from a concussion) or from bleeding inside the braincase.
It makes sense on paper, but I doubt there would be many times a patient would be conscious at that point.
Thank you for your service to the public.
