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OK I've Learrrrrrned something today. No. 1., with the exception of one person, apparently you guys'n'gals really hate scanners. Good to know, I guess. I admit, I lack class (pass the Fritos). I don't even have the class to join the QCWA although I just recently qualified, yep the Quarter Century Wireless Association, basically it's for those who remember sweatin' out the FCC test AT the FCC field office, complete with code. What some consider fast code, yep extra class now you send in 3 box tops and Tony The Tiger sends you the ticket. When all's said and done I'd rather go out and do stuff than hide in a radio room, but a longterm interest in radio is hard to kill. Blah blah blah who cares basically while I've made my share of contacts I find the listening more interesting. I like knowing what goes on around my town! So, the plan is, this scanner and a decent communications reciever, I've had and enjoyed the Eton E5 but am actually considering the Grundig Satellit 750 the next bolus of money I come across. I just want to be able to listen, across the spectrum. I was not asking anyone's permission to get a scanner, I was wondering how many listen to 'em here and find 'em interesting, maybe trying to see if there was a subset of scanner types in the crowd here. I guess I found one, which is neat, I even gave 'em a positive point. The rest here seem to be entranced with their own ability to fling mud, thank you very much. Have fun. Bye.

Oh no you guys want actual articulation. Well, first is learning, I admit being curious how many of what kind of calls are happening in my area and learning (by osmosis perhaps) some radio protocol. Second, it's not impossible that I could end up being a dispatcher, if I work on my Spanish. It's a useful job too. Thirdly, yeah, entertainment, nosiness, call it what you will. The scanner I got is about to be set up here at home, nope no plans to use one in a vehicle although that's legal in this state. I may end up tired of listening to the radio once I'm working as an EMT (or dispatch) sure, but for now, I think listening might be fun. I once worked at a Baskin-Robbins, ice cream became very mundane for me. But before that job, it had a definite "oh wow" factor. Besides, I've gotten a real laugh out of listening on non-scanner radios to various things, tow truck drivers, water company people, etc. It's not nearly as bad as watching TV. Got a Uniden BCT898T and picked up some wire and BNC's to make antennas with. Yay now I get to learn how to program a scanner.

www.radioreference.com

The rest of us have a life.

My left eye's no good. My right is correctable. My left is not, I can see the big "E" on the eye chart with my left and that's it. Depth perception, what's that? Will this keep me from being able to drive an ambulance? Will this keep me from taking the National Registry, or if I can, will it keep me from being hired? Thanks in advance.

This was in today's Sentinel. Hope they're all right! $%^&#! careless drivers. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/os-orange-county-firefighter-injured-20100214,0,4728936.story

Hopefully you read the preceding pages and saw that it's not so much a case of people feeling you're a "shitbag", or not a nice guy. Again, it is a case of displaying poor, immature, impulsive judgement. In EMS, you are practising medicine. You're taking human lives into your head and hands. It is natural that people will be uncomfortable if you outwardly show signs of poor judgement when you are coming at them with needles. That doesn't mean they think you're a bad guy. It just means they don't trust your judgement, and since you admit you now regret it, you can't argue that they have a legitimate reason to feel that way. No offence, but if it actually took being rejected by more than one potential employer for you to figure out that it might be a good idea to wear long sleeves, then your judgement indeed still has a ways to go to reach maturity.

Hey chbare, you double posted! Oops on you (an admitted rarity). SOCMOB, for the record, I am a Registered Monitoring Station/Short Wave Listener (SWL), "callsign" KNY2SC. Anyone asks why I listen to a scanner, it is a multitude of reasons, with me being a "nosy bastit" leading the reasons. I listen while driving, so if the roadway I am on is blocked by an incident, I can reroute before getting caught in the traffic jam. I'll hear it there, before hearing the news station's traffic report. As I carry some basic equipmentin my POV, if I end up on the scene prior to the on duty troops, I can start rendering aid (see multiple strings on the pro's and con's of this practice, but I started as a Volunteer EMT). I might listen to other agencies, just to keep myself aware what they are doing, even if I know I won't be called to their scene to assist. Are you aware that the NYPD has over 100 frequencies, and these are just the ones listed? FDNY EMS Command has at least 2, and in some cases, 3, frequencies per each of our 5 boroughs, plus "Citywide", and some non emergent, frequencies. Add another 6, possibly more, for the FDNY engine and truck companies. New York City is at the juncture of New York State, New Jersey, and Connecticut. There's a bunch of PD, FD, and EMS crews always on the air, for those who choose to listen in. Not only that, we have John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark-Liberty International Airports, either within the city, or close by. Add Maritime radio, the FBI, US Coast Guard, Secret Service, and the occasional (non-photo op) flyby of Air Force One. Add CB radio (there's still a few of us left), Family Radio Service/General Mobile Radio Service, Multiple Use Radio Service, and soon, I have almost filled my 1,000 channel scanners. I'll mention, as we in the "tri-state" area are bracing for the third heavy snowfall in 10 days, that I sometimes listen to the sanitation crews, as they activate the "Snow Desk", keeping track of the trucks plowing and removing the snow on our 300 something miles of street. Oops, after that last, I must mention the US Weather Service, too. I have to mention, check your local, county, and state laws on the subject of having a scanner in a vehicle. Here in New York State, unless you're an On-Duty LEO, or have a "permit" from the local LEOs Commissioner, you're not supposed to have a scanner in a vehicle, even a portable unit sitting on the seat, unpowered by the vehicle. Now, I'll toot my own horn: I have been published numerous times in the "Popular Communications" magazine's "Letters to the Editor" section, as well as one time in "National communications" (and you thought I only have appeared in JEMS, EMS Magazine, Queens Newsday, Popular Science, "Dear Abby", "Dear Anne Landers", and some on line board called "EMT City"?).

another example of the need for proper apparatus placement. Put a large chuck of steel in a angle of deflection between you and oncoming traffic. When the cops complain that your taking up to much space give them a stop sign tell them the can take the spot.

Hmm? I just mentioned the death in June of 1994 of Christopher Prescott in a string on the California Surfing Contest, where numerous spectators were swept out by rouge waves. The story has parallels to EMT Prescott. http://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/18/nyregion/ems-aide-killed-by-car-at-accident.html?pagewanted=1 E.M.S. Aide Killed by Car At Accident By RONALD SULLIVAN Published: June 18, 1994 A 22-year-old ambulance crew member helping victims of a car accident in Brooklyn was killed early yesterday morning when a Jeep driven by a drunken driver plowed through a series of warning flares and crashed into the accident scene, the police said. The police said the driver had been convicted of drunken driving in 1992, and had been charged with the crime once after that, but was still driving with a valid license at the time of the accident. Victim Was Rookie of the Year The victim, 24-year-old Christopher Prescott, who was named Rookie of the Year by the city's Emergency Medical Service earlier this year, was the city's first ambulance crew member to be killed in the line of duty, medical service officials said. Mr. Prescott's death shocked the city's corps of 2,800 Emergency Medical Service technicians and paramedics, who are often the first to respond to the scenes of violent accidents and death, but are rarely victims themselves. Mr. Prescott was killed when a Jeep driven by Keith Church-Ford, 27, sped into the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Utica Avenue at 1:36 A.M. yesterday and smashed into one of two cars involved in an earlier accident. The force of the collision drove the car in the earlier accident into Mr. Prescott's ambulance, crushing him and a fellow crew member, Carol Buffa, 35, as they were trying to remove a victim in the first accident. Mr. Prescott was pronounced dead less than three hours later at Kings County Hospital Center. Ms. Buffa underwent surgery there and was in critical condition, although officials said her condition was improving. Injured Again The victim in the first accident, whose initial injuries were described as not serious, was also crushed and was taken to Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, where he was in critical condition. The medical service said three other people suffered slight injuries. "We're devastated," said David L. Diggs, the Emergency Medical Service director. "And we're angry, too, because this young man's senseless death would never have happened if we could get these kinds of drivers off the road." The officials said Mr. Prescott would be given the equivalent of a police inspector's funeral on Monday, the first in the service's 24-year history. For the funeral, to take place on Staten Island, his body will be carried in an ambulance shrouded in black and will be followed by corps of medical service crew members, police officers and firefighters. David Bookstaver, a spokesman, said of Mr. Prescott: "He had an outstanding record, one which included a citation for bringing an emergency patient back to life. He was full of youthful enthusiasm and he saw his career here as saving lives. We all are in mourning." Mr. Prescott, a tall, friendly man from a close-knit Staten Island family filled with police officers, had hoped to join the Transit Police this year after serving a year or so as an ambulance crew member. His sister, Police Officer Doreen Prescott-McGee, described her brother yesterday as a "wonderful, happy go lucky kid, someone who put a bright light around everone's head." Mr. Church-Ford, who the police said was convicted of drunken driving in 1992, was arrested by police officers who were already at the accident scene. They said he was found to have a blood-alcohol level of 1.8 percent, nearly twice the legal limit. He was charged with murder, assault and driving while intoxicated, and was processed for booking last night for a bail hearing in Criminal Court. George Filieau, a spokesman for the State Division of Motor Vehicles, said Mr. Church-Ford's license was revoked in November 1992, after he was convicted of drunken driving a month earlier. But he said Mr. Church-Ford received a restricted, conditional license a month later and that his license was fully restored in March 1993, after he completed a remedial program. The police said he was later charged with driving while intoxicated and several other moving violations, like running red lights and passing on the wrong side. But they said they had no information as to the outcome of those cases, or details on when they occurred. On the stoop of her home at 500 Warren Street in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, Mr. Church-Ford's mother said: "It's a tragedy for both our families. My son is a good kid." Mr. Church-Ford is the third person in the city in the last six weeks to be charged with a drunken driving fatality. On May 1, a woman and her two daughters were killed in Howard Beach, Queens, while crossing the street, and on June 11 a homeless woman in Queens was killed after pushing her 4-year-old son to safety. The police said that the drivers in both cases had been drunk.

Perhaps you could articulate why you want to listen in on the local police, fire, and EMS radio traffic. When you are not at work, what benefits do you think you will gain from this activity? I do not see how it is beneficial to know that an ambulance is going to 2303 K street for a shortness of breath and chest pain when you are not actually at work? You asked if it made sense to buy your own scanner to listen in and people have responded by basically saying no. You are going to have to present a compelling case to sway our opinion. Take care, chbare. EDIT: Redundant post?

I definitely plan to continue my education. Last semester I took medical terminology, and I'll be taking biology, A&P I and II, etc., some time in the near future. I'm not against transport in the short run. It would actually be a great way to learn in a lower-pressure environment. However, my ultimate goal is responding to 911.

Thank you SO much! I'm going to cut and paste all of this! You've given me a lot to go on - this was like a thesis on what to look for in an employer! And since I'm not on the inside, I wouldn't have thought of any of those. I don't know yet where I will end up once I get my EMT and/or paramedic - I'm looking around FL, I'm still considering NYC - I have to consider quality of living as well as salary in the cities that I apply to.

Be careful here; ventilation and oxygenation are not the same thing, a patient can be barely breathing but adequately oxygenated or breathing fine and inadequately oxygenated. The two are very different physiologic processess which most ambo's never pick up on. If the patient is inadequately oxygenated then its appropriate to use a bag mask however do so at a slow rate; the good old ambo trick of "more is better" is not going to help you. A cautionary note that there is nothing "magic" about oxygen and it is often given to patients who do not require it or in quantities above what is required. 2-4 litres on a nasal cannula will do for 90% of patients who actually require oxygen. Should the breathing become adequate then stop bagging them, there's no point in continuing to do something they can do themselves Do you SEE any evidence of head or spinal trauma? Although it is wise to state the absense of evidence does not indicate evidence of absense I would use a head tilt, chin lift. Most cardiac arrests are primary arrests which are cardiac in origin, traumatic arrests well, there should be some evidence of trauma. Why are you inserting an NPA if the patient has a gag reflex? History of COPD is most likely a red herring designed to make you withold oxygen. Suction the airway and go from there; my guess is the old boy is going to require a lot of suctioning. I'd put him on a non-rebreather mask and see how that works, it may be entirely appropriate to just use that if he is getting good air exchange.

Hmm, am I the only one here who's interested in listening to "da copz" and "da firemenz"? And admits it?

I've never really gotten the idea that it's easier to suction with an OPA in, perhaps I need more practice. What I was getting at above was this, that this patient needed oxygenation, right? How do we know that? Because his lips are blue. So if his lips are blue, and this convinces us that he really really needs Os, then what advantage has our pt gained for the time that your partner spent digging out and then applying the SPO2? What information did it give you that you didn't already have simply by looking at your patient? Does your book insist that you apply a pulse ox on all difficulty breathing patients? If so it's very dangerous to be convinced that the machine will tell you more than your assessment... Perhaps I'm trying to make these too difficult, but I've lost track of the basic curriculum long ago, so you'll have to help me out... While you're assembling your suction and your partner is dicking around with the SPO2, couldn't someone simply roll this pt to LLR (Left lateral recumbent) so that some of the drainage would simply drain onto the bedding? That's what I meant by the 'found him in the mall' reference. If he's breathing, slobbery, pukey, I'm just going to roll him LLR and find a fireman to stand by being heroic while they wait for EMS. The point I was trying to make before, and doing so very poorly, was to try and focus your attention back onto your patient. All of your answers are there, every time and always will be. You need the rest of the educational tools of cours, but too often when we get jammed up we turn to our books which often necessitates turning away from our patients... I will try and stay more book focused to the best of my ability in the future however.. Good luck girl... Dwayne

In this order Chemistry Anatomy and Physiology I and II Pharmacology Pathophysiology English / communications Scientific research methods Medical terminology Then you will be qualified to take your EMT class

DSL that's as slow or slower than dial-up used to be a decade ago, and I'd need a T1 now to do what I used to do on dial-up. Sites like this are great but the internet gets worse and worse.

I agree, one should use common sense. I can assure you not every patient is stripped in ER or even a trauma center as well, the author needs to work and learn in that environment, before making anal statements. Yes, you should be sure that there is no injuries, yes, expose patients in major trauma, but for the 30 year old that twisted his ankle being bare butt naked is not appropriate. The same as medical calls, grandma is complaining of diarrhea you are going to strip her down as well?...The ER Doc , going to check your hemorrhoids for that lacerated finger ?.. I think not. This is why I went to school, this is why I spent thousand of hours of clinical rotations in obtaining experience of being able to determining how to perform an assessment and which should be deferred and those that should be addressed. Be safe, R/r 911

OK the scanner bug is bitin' again ..... what do you all think of the idea of using a scanner radio to listen in on stuff going on around your area? I have several fire stations, cops, sheriffs, a hospital nearby, plus talkative hams and probably locals on CB. I'm wondering, does it make sense to get a scanner radio to listen in on stuff to get an idea of what's going on, what kind of calls, radio procedure, etc? How many of you have scanners?

Just what kind of problem would that be? I hear lots about these "Glandular problems" and how they make you retain weight (fat, not fluid that is). of all the A&P I have taken, I have yet to understand what gland and specifically what hormone would make you retain this amount of sheer FAT on a healthy diet with regular exersize, while taking the proper prescription hormone replacement therapy??

From Dwayne I am getting that experience is the key. From Dust I am getting dont even touch anyone untill you have had X amount of education. So, maybe I read something wrong, or only read what I wanted to read..lol And OMG yes, I need to apologize to the OP. I am sorry about jacking (up) your thread and drawing any attention away from what it should have been about. This

Thank you. I just really need to learn to not want it now now now for once in my life! I think I am finally growing up and seeing the bigger picture.

Yeah girl...you rock! I get frustrated sometimes with the 'I don't need to be smart to ride in an ambulance!" crowd. But every time I'm about to throw in the towel someone comes along that I know will be so good, so smart, so dedicated....it just makes all the rest of the nonsense worth the effort. Without many of these people in my corner (Dust and ak held my hand through the whole ride as they continue to do now) I would be 1/3 the medic I am now, though what I am now isn't necessarily anything to brag about. :-) Every time I got exhausted, felt that I was simply too stupid to make the grade, wanted to quit, I came here and was gifted with a second wind...and a third if that's what I needed. Use these guys and you will be a rock star! Good luck Lisa... Dwayne

Hey! I resemble that remark!! OK fine then, I'm gonna go out and get a scanner today, maybe there will be a sale since it's President's Day in the US, and I'll even let y'all listen to it if you wanna come over. If you can get past the geese.