runsoversquirrels

1. Skin signs tell all.

2. Sick people don't bitch.

3. Air goes in and out, blood goes round and round, any variation on

this is a bad thing.

4. Newbies have their own way of doing things.

5. The more equipment you see on a EMTs belt, the newer they are.

6. There is no rule 6.

7. When dealing with patients, supervisors, or citizens, if it felt good

saying it, it was the wrong thing to say.

8. All bleeding stops....eventually.

9. All people will eventually die, no matter what you do.

10. If the child is quiet, be scared.

(And A few more)

11. Always follow the rules, but be wise enough to forget them

sometimes.

12. If the patient vomits in the rig try to hold their head to the side

of the rig with the disposable equipment, not the stuff you have to

clean.

13. If someone dies by chemical hazards, electrical shocks or other

on-scene dangers it should be the patient, not you.

14. Any EMT, FF, LEO and/or scene chief who is more drunk (or more

stupid) than the patient is the real problem.

15. There will be problems.

16. You can't cure stupid.

17. If it's wet and sticky and not yours, LEAVE IT ALONE!

18. If at all possible, avoid any edible item that firefighters prepare,

especially the tuna casserole.

19. Heaven protects Fools and Drunks.

20. EMS is extended periods of intense boredom, interrupted by

occasional moments of sheer terror.

21. Every Emergency has three phases: PANIC, FEAR, AND REMORSE.

22. You are bound to get a call either during dinner, while you are on

the can, or at 02:00 in the middle of a great dream.

23. Rocket scientists that get into stupid car crashes are the first

ones to complain how bumpy the ambulance ride is.

24. The severity of the injury(s) is directly proportional to the

difficulty in accessing, as well as the weight, of the patient.

25. Turret mounted machine guns usually work better than lights and

sirens.

26. Make sure the rookie EMT knows that a med patch is a radio term and

not a medicated bandage.

27. Paramedics save lives; But it's EMT skills that save Paramedics.

28. When a patient vomits outside, be sure to aim it at the citizens who

wouldn't back up.

29. Never trust your rig, drug box, or airway bag to be

fully stocked. In spite of the assurances of the offgoing crew.

30. If you don't have it, don't give up, Adapt, Improvise, Overcome,

(then call for a second unit).

31. There is no such thing as a "textbook case"

32. Newbies always look for large things in the smallest compartments

and vice versa.

33. There is no such thing as a bad call. Only calls that didn't go the

way you planned.

36. If there are no drunks at an MVA after midnight, keep looking, some

one is missing.

37. Just because your paranoid does not mean the Supervisor isn't around

the corner.

38. Remember what MICN stands for, "May I interrupt your Call Now?"

39. Just because someone's license date is before yours does not mean

they know what they are doing.

The final rule is.....It is not your emergency, calm down[/font:8e4e6170ee]

Thanks for the, did you have do do that, we didn't want to hear it. Just put in advice only. Yes it is long winded but don't make people feel bad for telling their story. No I was not trying to one-up. The counselor I spoke to is a professional and also brought along paperwork explaining some things as well as advice I could follow. Most I didn't, just felt it didn't apply. The part that worked for me was just to tell him about the two calls and get some coping measures.

The screen name just fit![/font:c50747dc03]

[/font:ba37376f3b] I have had two calls that profoundly affected me. One just two weeks ago. This time I requested CSID. The other one was five years ago. Twelve year old at MVA, unresponsive, not breathing. We performed CPR and a doc on the helicopter pronounced on scene. Mom was DWI. Daughter uninjured and front passenger critical. I was most angry about Mom causing this and my feelings of inadequacy. I should have done more. Compressions should have been done better, etc. I have pictures in my head of both these calls. Snapshots so to speak. I would recommend CSID. Not available through your service? Call state agency, they can get someone for you. The CSID for the child call was a group of us from that call. I was not comfortable talking about it with everyone there. This last one, it was just me and the counselor. It was very good for me. We had come upon a MVA just seconds after it had happened. No one on scene but us. Car crosses center line and head on into a pick-up. Could not see into driver's compartment of car. Car bursts into flames less than one minute after we stopped. Driver of truck being helped out of vehicle by bystanders. He's okay. Minor injuries. After we put fire out using our extinguisher, I tried to reach driver. I could see about a five inch spot of his arm in window. No response. I tried to follow his arm up to neck but partner pulled me away because the car was on fire again. Used other extinguisher and hollered for more. The driver's compartment was compressed to about 7 inches wide. Car had in all caught on fire about five times and we could never reach the driver. As we left the firemen were just pulling off the passenger doors to reach him. The next day all I could think about was this call. I didn't know this guy and wasn't all that familiar with the area, we had just transferred a hospice patient home. I couldn't sleep very well and just wasn't me. It was a weekend and I was ok with waiting till Mon. for the CSID guy but I also was given his number if needed. I spoke to him about this call and the old one. Been great since then and I know how to get help again if needed. Everyone reacts differently to calls. One may be okay with you but your partner may have problems. No one can predict or decide how anyone will be. Some may never have any reaction and others have different problems. Obviously everyone has different ways of dealing. You have to figure out what works for you. Decide to try CSID or something else.[/font:ba37376f3b]

When the call comes in as 'assist police' and when you get there you can see

through the abdomen.

To the wall behind them.[/font:7d91eda0b9]

No, this was a transitional modular that the regional office sponsored[/font:7c3e319cef]

I read an article today about not reusing the gaskets for O2 tanks because some times fire results.

Air leaks by the reused washer and can by friction causes heat and regulators, boom on fire.[/font]

What I meant by on-line courses doesn't apply to continuing ed.[[/font:244e5eb24f]font=Comic Sans MS]

I, too, am not a big fan of on-line courses but if you're hot to try one, check your state or NREMT to see what may be offerred.

For on-line ed, my fav is CE solutions. www.ems-ce.com

But that won't help for practicing assessments. Grab a kid and practice. Get permission 1st[/font:e1b5ac0ea3]. [/font:e1b5ac0ea3]

I've always been told to bring the tank in with cold conditions.

It was said that the O2 could crystalize.

I suppose it could be considered foolish to not check it out and make sure

but it doesn't bother to bring it in. Habit now.[/font:bffe13842e] [/font:bffe13842e]

Here in N.H. the teaching hospital of Dartmouth has a DHART bus.

It is like an OR on wheels. They staff it with medics or RNs or DRs depending on the call.

This is not an emergencey response vehicle per say although they will if it is called for and approved.

Mostly they handle transfers to their hospital that need the extra staff or whatever.

I have not experienced this first hand, just talked to staff and looked through the truck a couple of times.

This is pay through the nose country for medical care and if you die, it's because you didn't do enough to stay healthy even though your HMO won't pay for it.

Very few of us have any say in what levels may be created or deleted. (NH is deleting the 1st responder level)

This level was very helpful in the volunteer departments around these here rural areas where it can be 30 mins. or more til the ambulance gets in town. More time if they are already on a call (I've fallen and can't get up). I live in such a town and most of the surrounding towns only have 'Rescues'

and may not even have basics on the fire depart. These towns contract with private ambulances to come in and transport.

There is talk every now and then about of advanced levels, expanding scope but yes it gets shot down.[/font:569dd8c393]

Humpty Dumpty sat on the bed,

Little Bo Peep was giving him head,

As soon as he came she started to weep,

She know from the taste,

He'd been f*ckin her sheep[/font:7f8b8413ae]

:twisted: