Anyone ever had to use work skills at DVC?

[com_op_2000]

Got to thinking tonight about the times I have been on vacation and had to use my working skills, to help a fellow vacationer. I am/have been a Information Technology worker and firefighter/EMT.
At VB, took the pulse/respirations rates of fellow traveler who was not feeling well before CMs arrived.
At AKL, helped get wired internet up for neighbor.
On a DCL, helped cruiser who fell on the stairs and turned her ankle to a chair and got some ice for her.
At SAB, helped lost child find his parents.
I am sure there are others, let's here your stories:
mechanic who repaired a car
a doctor/paramedic who performed CPR
a teacher who did some unscheduled teaching
a mother who took care of someone's child.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I have an Operations Research degree. This basically means I know way too much about queuing strategies and optimizing systems. I can't help but think about and appreciate how Disney moves so many people through the parks so efficiently. I haven't necessarily 'used' my work skills so much as they taunt me while I'm at the parks and i find myself wondering about things like the percentage of Fast Pass ticket returns and such.

 

[Princess on the Run]

I was just talking to a friend when we were on a plane Sunday and she mentioned she witnessed a medical emergency for the first time (she flies weekly for work) and we both noted that you never see a legal emergency. We're both lawyers. Then we spent the next 15 minutes trying to imagine what scenerio would require a pilot to ask if there was a lawyer in the house. We didn't come up with any real ones but a lot of funny ones.

 

[Shleedogg]

I can't imagine I'll ever use my work skills at wdw. I'm the assistant director of a small local history museum. Like the pp, I can't imagine a pilot saying "is there a historian on the plane?". Lol. Good thread!

 

[dgaston]

Psychologist here. I guess I use some people skills when I explain fast pass to the clueless, or maybe I shouldn't. I often give park directions too, but I'm not sure that's a psychological skill unless you label it spatial memory.

Just remembered -- I did hold a girl's hand throughout the old Alien Encounter -- she was about 10 and completely overwhelmed by the experience and her family didn't seem to care, and I guess I have talked many folks through their first ride on Tower of Terror.

 

[majortom1981]

I am an IT guy also. I have never had to use those skills at the world BUT I use my disney world knowledge all the time.

Every visit without fail I help people with the best times to go to the magic kingdom ., where things are and other things. Usually I help one person then a line forms at me with people asking me advice.

I have also helped some of the african guides at akl do some programs and things.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I have had to use my accounting skills to split large group dinner bills... does that count? LOL!

 

[Greysword]

I have had to use my accounting skills to split large group dinner bills... does that count? LOL!

yeah, it's funny; no one ever wants to create a budget while on vacation. ...especially my DW and DD

...and we both noted that you never see a legal emergency. We're both lawyers. ...

Well, when that guy gets asked to leave the plane due to public intoxication or is dragged from the plane screaming about terrorists, well then is your time to shine!

 

[Princess on the Run]

Well, when that guy gets asked to leave the plane due to public intoxication or is dragged from the plane screaming about terrorists, well then is your time to shine!

 

[Krissalee]

I'm a licensed social worker who works in geriatrics. If there is anyone around over the age of 85, they usually end up talking to me about any problem or issues that may arise. Whether at a bus stop, on the bus, on a boat heading the MK, I seem to be the one counseling the older folks.

 

[moobar25]

I'm an Environmental Chemist so my skills aren't very useful at WDW. Though I could take some samples of the lakes and analyze them at the lab. Then I could tell everyone exactly why you shouldn't swim in them.

 

[leelee9878]

I sell natural gas, electricity, and oil so I dont think my job would ever NEED to come out while in the parks but I do find myself looking around at all the lights wondering how much electricity they use and what their load must look like. Crazy what our jobs make us do LOL.

My boyfriend used to sell highend molding so he always likes to tell me what is the cheap stuff and what disney actually splurged on which is interesting.

 

[twinklebug]

IT gal here... I cringe at the thought of having to go techie on vacation. That said, I have 'guided' a few lost CMs with server issues, pass upgrades (between hints I got here and from my son who sold them during his CP) and even camera settings. I never tell them I'm a techie ... just a happy guest with a few helpful comments

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'm an Environmental Chemist so my skills aren't very useful at WDW. Though I could take some samples of the lakes and analyze them at the lab. Then I could tell everyone exactly why you shouldn't swim in them.

My DH is a microbiologist for the state. His job is to assure that public water systems have clean drinking water. He keeps wanting to take samples out of the tap to get the sulfur levels.

He's also thought about retiring from the state and testing the water at Disney.

 

[JimMIA]

Got to thinking tonight about the times I have been on vacation and had to use my working skills, to help a fellow vacationer. I am/have been a Information Technology worker and firefighter/EMT.

Interesting idea, and I'm sure this thread will draw some interesting responses.

At VB, took the pulse/respirations rates of fellow traveler who was not feeling well before CMs arrived.

Hmmmm. Florida has a very good Good Samaritan law, but if you're transferring a patient to CM's, you'd better be really careful about abandonment issues. If you are currently certified/licensed, and they're not (and they're not), you'd better wait for professional help -- not only for the patient's benefit, but also to be sure your backside is well-covered.

On a DCL, helped cruiser who fell on the stairs and turned her ankle to a chair and got some ice for her.

I'm also an EMT, and I ride with Rescue pretty regularly (most recently yesterday 7A-7P), so I have some experience. I have not had an occasion to use those skills on vacation, but I often do at home.

My daughter figure skates, so I'm always "saving lives" at the rink. I also seem to be a bit of a traffic crash/trauma alert magnet when off-duty. Not sure how that happens -- I drive my daughter to school, some drunk totals his car, a palm tree, and his pelvis, a block from my house; I go to a ball game, and a 9 year-old kid falls 30 feet from a rock-climbing wall onto concrete. I'm getting afraid to go out of the house. I go to work to rest!

I am sure there are others, let's here your stories:

a mother who took care of someone's child.

I'd bet the most common usage of our skills are our most important skills -- parenting, and being just plain folks. I'm sure all of us do something like calming a frightened kid, giving directions, or taking group shots of families in front of the castle.

Should be some great responses, and a great thread!

 

[JimMIA]

Then I could tell everyone exactly why you shouldn't swim in them.

I'm also a park ranger.

Think ALLIGATORS!

 

[Tunseeker1]

As an IT/Data person I have recovered deleted pictures for someone on a cruise.
As a Paramedic i have worked with a few people that need a bit of calming and advice, but never had a situation I couldn't solve with a few laughs.

 

[Mickey527]

I have twice but long ago.
the first was when my boys were young and Beach Club had first opened. We were walking from the pool to Beaches and Cream through the little passway where the lifeguards eep their equipment. A woman walked past us and just passed out. I grabbed the towels we had and placed one under her head, took her pulse(weak but there) and respirations and told my boys to call a lifeguard. By the time he got there she was awake and trying to get up. I made her lie there until they could assess her and call and ambulance. Probably was heat or dehydration but I am only a nurse and not supposed to diagnose...
the 2nd was in 2003 at Coronado Springs. I was with my boys again and waiting for a table at the Market when a guy walked by and slipped on something and fell. He hit his head pretty hard against the floor and blood was everywhere. I grabbed some gloves off the counter along with a cloth napkin and held it to his head and kept him down on the ground until the ambulance came. the manager comped our dinner and gave us 2 desserts each to take home. We went to the parks the next day and when we got back to our room there was a HUGE basket of fruit, flowers, balloons and a beautiful scrapbook from the manager of the restaraunt along with a thank you note.

 

[Tink2312]

I was just talking to a friend when we were on a plane Sunday and she mentioned she witnessed a medical emergency for the first time (she flies weekly for work) and we both noted that you never see a legal emergency. We're both lawyers. Then we spent the next 15 minutes trying to imagine what scenerio would require a pilot to ask if there was a lawyer in the house. We didn't come up with any real ones but a lot of funny ones.

I am a Personal Injury solicitor and although I do have first aid qualifications, I always joke with colleagues that we can't do much in an emergency but we can assist with a claim after the fact. Not many situations where we'd be needed in an emergency.

The only help I've ever been in WDW is a tour guide, giving directions and recommendations etc - and i'm sure many on the boards have done the same.

 

[NewJerseyDVCMembers]

Funny, but yes I have. I am a Pitboss in a casino and settled a dispute between guests playing Hold'em near the quiet pool at OKW. I also explained Blackjack rules to a guy who was teaching his kid to play in the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge Villas.