emt019

ive been dating a paramedic for awhile now, and I find that while we dont run with the same company, its nice to have some one who understands both you as a person AND the things that we see daily in EMS. Its refreshing to be able to come home and tell someone about a disturbing run and know that they understand every aspect... emotionally, from a career perspective, and how I might not be immediately ready to put it behind me when I get off shift. And he can do the same. That said, If we had worked for the same company, I would never have started the relationship... far to many potential complications can arise.

Then so be it. Similar attitudes are reflected throughout EMS and this isnt an opinion shared only by myself. Yes its irresponsible and yes a hazardous situation that doesnt need to exist. I would not expect workmans comp given that i wouldnt have been wearing a vest when im theoretically hit. Its just a choice we all make. nothing more

Very informative Spenac... and though I failed to mention in my previous post that the lettering on my uniform is reflective, as is the lining on the trouser. So again, while safety vests should be worn, I personally find them cumbersome and somewhat redundant in my situation. Also, i did use the spell check... which is probably why the words that werent in spellchecks dictionary and were therefore changed are that ones that are incorrect. And yes, I should have caught that. Although, why two simple mistakes that are easily enough understood given their context should garner such a comment is beyond me. In fact my last two posts have turned up unfavorable remarks from you. Im not sure i see the reason for this, but as ive said before, everyone is entitled to their opinion... and a mistake every now and again

Well, I cant say as I appreciate being insulted so completely.. that my experience in EMS as a practice/ view point matters so little that its ok to just go ahead and ignore me. I didnt realize this Forum was about one person being so right that any other opinion is incorrect and completely irrelevant...Especially considering in EMS there is never one and only one absolutely correct answer.

Funny this should pop up in discussion. Last shift I was on, two of the four crews on were called to respond to a 2 car MVC on a major highway that resulted in one sign off and one full immobilization code 3 to the ER. Made the evening news... which showed our company owner four of his Emits not wearing the mandated EMS vests... In my own defense, iamb inclined not to blame ourselves for not wearing the vests, but the media for publishing it for the world to see Even though I realize the sense in wearing such safety gear on a call so close to speeding vehicles, ill be the first to admit to never wearing one with no intention of starting without harsh 'encouragement'

...Brent. My advise to you would be to not rush into your medic without real street experience first to back you up. No amount of clinical time in the world will prepare you for what youre going to see in the street, and unlike you EMT classes, doing what the book tells you to in any given situation may not be the right thing to do.

I wonder if it was a large coverage area this guy worked.. Rural versus Urban. One would think in a high run volume area his medical blunders wouldve been brought into highlight... say a large scale trauma or a mega code type call woudlve made at least someone suspicious. Its also true that i know and work with some pretty incompetent medics but it never crossed my mind that they may not actually be medics. Im confused as to how its not illegal to impersonate a paramedic.. as EMS personnel we work hard for our certifications, and even harder (ok, disregarding tater totes) to maintain our patients until definitive care. It sucks that people like that guy are the reason were still thought of as merely ambulance drivers by the public

makes me wonder how the crews kept a straight face on the way to the hospital. If it was my run, id be torn between wanting to drive so i could laugh and roll the windows down and being in the back with the smell and getting the guys thoughts on having to call 911 for being stuck in a porta potty

im newly 20 myself and had the most difficult time finding an EMS company both willing to hire me with an insurance agency willing to cover me. I got my Basic EMT three days after my 18th birthday... was forced to wait in fact to sit for registry until that time. im not sure where you hail from, but so far as im aware, dont you have to be 18 to sit? That was the case two years ago for me...?? One of the reasons i was even hired at all was because of my Intermediate EMT status. Being as young as i am (or so i was told) i showed a deeper understanding of my situation (meaning most companies simply dont hire under 21 these days with a majority preferring no one under 25) Had i gone ahead and taken Paramedic as opposed to that middle step, i probably wouldnt have been hired at all. I too have run with a volley squad for a number of years, but being on your own in a rig with just you, your partner, and a patient is something all together and wholly different than third riding and taking BPs to help out the crew youre riding with. Frankly, someone willing to practice as a medic without any on the job experience as at least a Basic scares me. Book knowledge is very important please dont mistake me, but experience is something all the texts in the world cannot make up for, particularly in emergency medicine where rarely is one run the same as the last. Lastly, im begging, wait until you graduate high school to actively seek employment in EMS. I understand the desire to practice while stuck in class, i was there once too, but frankly I wouldnt want a partner whose more concerned with their geometry exam on monday than the patient