Constantly on patrol, police are often the first on the scene of 911 calls. When seconds matter, emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions to insect bites or stings, medicine, food, or other substances can mean the difference between life and death. Having the pocket-sized devices in officers’ hands simply makes sense.
We are reminded of the sudden loss of Andy Kessler in Montauk in 2009 after being stung by a wasp while helping build a deck there. Mr. Kessler, a legendary New York skateboarder in the 1970s who went on to become a well-regarded skate park advocate and designer, died after a friend drove him to the Montauk Medical Center only to find it closed. As a memorial after his death, friends raised roughly $1 million to redo the Lars Simenson Skate Park, which Mr. Kessler had initially designed in the 1990s.
Though allergy-caused deaths are relatively rare, there are clear indications that they are on the rise in the United States. On Long Island, the growing incidence of the alpha-gal meat allergy is another good reason emergency responders should carry EpiPens. The first known death from alpha-gal syndrome was just about two years ago in New Jersey.
As with bee, wasp, and yellow jacket stings, people with alpha-gal syndrome often do not know they are vulnerable until it happens. When it does, it can be terrifying. One of the telltale signs of alpha-gal syndrome is sudden, inexplicable itching, hives, and difficulty breathing, often hours after a meal. Some sufferers are so sensitive that even a trace amount of gelatin can trigger an attack. An oral antihistamine such as Benadryl can usually suppress the symptoms, but for people with underlying health concerns, the risk of fatality is increased.
The injectors are not a cure-all; prompt medical attention is still required in the event of a serious allergy attack. That said, they can buy time until emergency medical personnel arrive.