Alcomedicism

ALS Ambulance Ride: $525 dollars. 3 Mile ride: $25.50 dollars ECG Monitoring: $30 dollars Pulse Oximetry: $30 dollars ALS Disposable Latex gloves: $35 dollars Oxygen via nasal cannula: $35 dollars Knowing that your still alive after being transported by your local medics: priceless There some things in life money cant buy, but for everything else there's MasterCard. Hehe. -Dix

Here we have 2 gals and the rest are guys. The two gals work together and they do a good job of it too. I dont care if its a guy or gal as long as pt care isnt compromised. -Dix

You have to standby at a local high school football game, which is held on farmer Joe's pasture. (Yes, there is one school here in Arkansas that I know of that their football field is in a farmers pasture, because there wasnt enough room on the campus for one, so the farmer gladly donated his land for the purpose) -Dix

I like CSI:NY. Love the colors, love the way they have several diff. murders tied together. And Gary Sinise is an excellent actor. His character isnt overly macho, but is assertive. Something most detectives working the streets need to be. The only thing I dont like about the show? The set for the PD. I dont think they would house the crime lab and PD in a huge warehouse in a bad precinct of NYC. Maybe Richard B can give me some inside explanation on this. Have fun and be safe out there -Dix

I realize that this fit post has been out of routine at best, as has my workouts have been. But I only post on this to keep others motivated to keep staying fit or to give motivation to try to get fit. Not everybody has the same motivation that I do, so I dont push the subject on others. With that said I have stepped up my workouts a bit. I ran/walked/crawled a total of 4 miles today. I didnt think I could do it, but I wanted to give it try and guess what, I suprised myself by doing it. I also ran until my legs cramped up and I fell in a ditch in pain. As I laid there in agony, only one thought was going through my mind: GET UP GET UP YOU LAZY BONES! Finally after 5 mins, maybe not even that long, I was finally able to get back up, only to collapse again, oops. I became the little engine that could, and did get back up and started walking again, but at a fast pace. I was fine after that. After getting in my truck I cramp from head to toe, and a guy walked by and asked how I was and I said - Never felt better! and smiled to top it off. Total miles ran: 4 total miles walked: 2 Total miles crawled: .05 Im proud of myself, at least for the effort anyhow. Pain is good, pain is the weaknesses escaping the body, or at least thats how my high school track coach put it. Now after sitting here typing this I will say this, I sprained my ankle stepping on the porch going back into the house. Go figure. :roll: Does anyone here do standbys at sporting events? If you do, what is the most common injury you encounter? Also, my EMT buddy has stated that their crew cheif is making them workout for 2 hours after they get off work to get fit. Does your company require you to work out, or to take a fitness test every so often?? Have fun and be safe out there. -Dix

Tried barrel racing once, nearly killed myself in the process, lol.

How about 20 min scene response time runing L/S all the way?? Platinum 10 is thrown out the window, golden hour is next to go. As I have said before, we need more stations in the county to cut down on response time. This is a problem in many rural areas. Sorry guys, just venting a little. -Dix

The next auto purchase I'll make is a used Honda Accord. Lasts a long time and gets good gas mileage. I'll keep the old truck though for mudding purposes. At $2.24 a gallon, here I dont see how people can afford a truck payment AND gas! :shock: -Dix

Be glad you have gas to suck, I ran out this morning! EEP! :shock: -Dix

Enjoying the sounds of nature in town?? Is that some kind of new oxymoron? Either that or your town is built on a swamp like mine is, lol. -Dix

As a recent EMTB student, I can say hands on definitely helps out alot. Its one thing to explain the procedure to the class, but once they see how its done and then they do it themselves, I think it sticks with them much better. I'd do it for every class if it were possible. Alsi I'd allow the students to come to your station to practice on the dummies and some of the ambulance toys. The more they practice the more familiar they become with it. Just my .02 cents, as a student. -Dix

When your gunshot calls are frequently hunting related and it was an "accidental shooting". You answer more NH calls than actual truama calls.

While doing ride time in EMTB training, we had to respond to a MVA vs. pedestrian. The medic and I only got through our rapid truama assesment, and placed the NRB on him before we got to the ER. The EMT and I got the pt. in the ER while the medic was in the ER lobby finishing his report. We gave it to the nurse before we left. This happened only two blocks from the ER. Definitely a short transport! -Dix

Ok, I dug this up from the boneyard and decided to bring it back up as I have not posted my progress for the last 6 days. I spent 4 days on my butt, for some reason feeling rather sluggish. Could be my staph infection, but that story is explained in another thread. Now what have I done for the last 2 days, well here it is. I simply ran or attempted to run 1 mile. I did better yesterday than today. But also had taken my pills just before my run, it pretty much shut down my airway, I felt like there was a 100 lb weight on my chest, but I made it back ok. I need to find a way to get my lazy butt in gear. I simply had no go power today, but I did complete my mile nontheless. I have also incorporated my daughter into the program, using her as a 25 lb free weight. Makes it more fun watching her have fun. I have not dropped her yet, but first time I do, she's no longer involved. Also I have noticed my BP bottoming out again after my run. I havent completely passed out yet, but I have come close once or twice calling for help. If anyone here knows the possible reason and what solution there may be I'd be happy to comply. And now for you guys, what have you been doing lately in your workouts?? Im just trying to keep the fitness group together. -Dix

you not only know your pt, but also know your pts. grandparents, children and grand children. -Dix

Its definitely mud season here! Mud in my driveway, mud in the creeks, mud in the bottoms. Hmmm, maybe I should take the local medics for a ride granted they allow me to drive their truck. lol. -Dix

Here lately everyday has been a day off, jeez, iwsh I had a job I actually had to go to. But I usually attempt to sleep in, play with my daughter, goof off on the internet for a while, play cards if people are over. Sometimes I go fishing too. If its huntin' season, Im in the stand or in the blind. MedFire, my truck has seen worse days! Its been a nice color of brown numerous times. Been parked into an oak tree at 60+ mph. Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. Sadly my mudding days are on hold until my dauighter is big enough to go with mama. Hehe. -Dix

SNAFU: Situation Normal, All Fouled Up DILLIGAF: Do I Look Like I Give A Fuck? AFU: All F---ed Up FUBAR: F---ed Up Beyond All Recognition CCFCCP: Coo Coo For Cocoa Puffs FDGB: Fall Down go boom DFO: Done Fell Out ART: Assuming Room Temperature Pezzed: Slashed or stabbed in throat LLS: Looks Like Shit DRT: Dead Right There DIP: Dump or Dotty In Pants EDPs: Emotionally Disturbed Persons MUH: Messed Up Heart PBS: Pretty Bad Shape HIBGIA: Had It Before, Got It Again CATS: Cut All To Shit Glow Worm: HAZMAT teams Trans Occipital Implants: Gunshot wound to the head Charlie Carrots: Stroke patients PVC Challenge: End tracheal Intubations CTD: Circling The Drain NLPR: No Longer Playing Rceords More to come! -Dix

I actually thought of that once, lol. But I dont think our local PD or Crew cheif would like that.

It peeves me when you are running L/S and the man in the truck in front of out flat out ignores you. It would be nice if we can get license plate numbers and turn them in to PD and they will be mailed a fine for endangerment and failure to obey traffic laws. And you are correct Richard we should be driving with due regard to life and property, but other drivers should drive with due regard to emergency response vehicles as well. Time is of the essence in our buisness. -Dix

Im glad to hear that NY state is taking steps to help regulate who can and who cannot have lights and sirens on their POV. There is enough people out there abusing them, giving the rest of us a bad rep. Like I posted before, there should be stricter laws on who can and cannot purchase lights and sirens for their POV. Here locally a POV may not have strobe lights or a siren of any sort (but pimpers easily get by this by purchasing "flashers" not strobes.) The only allowable lights on a POV are red brake lights, and there must be three of them. Two clear headlamps that must be adjustable for brightness and dimness. And two yellow side markers they may also function as "parking lights". A POV may only use the "Parking lights" as flashers is duing an urgent life or death emergency. BUT..... I have seen two trucks that I know are not owned by EMS personnel that have little halogen strobes below the headlamps. There is one small car that has strobes inserted into the headlamps. The driver of this car stated to me that he only puts on his strobes is while he is parked, somehow I dont believe him. I also seen partyers purchase a strobe lamp that is blue from the local radio shack and put it in their back window and plug it into the power point. They also use it while parked, supposedly. If a person around here really wanted to impersonate a LEO or EMS vehicle they can easily do it. Yes there are laws and regs in place but there is still a large gap that needs to be filled. Many of these general public purchases are done over the internet. Remember the "Blue Light Rapist"?? This guy had a blue strobe light placed in his vehicle. Any time he saw a woman driver pass by he would "blue light" her and con her into thinking it was a LEO vehicle. He would have their trust as most cops are honorable, and he would use this trust to his advantage to rape these women. As badass as I may be sometimes, I am still scared that these things will fall into the wrong hands and be used wrongly. Thats why I want to question some of these people for their use of lights and sirens illegally, if not that then it is still wrongful. My. 02 cents. Richard thanks for posting your local protocols. -Dix

I dont think anyone died during his spree, but some people have said that he did cuase 2 "pts" harm by causing one guy an infection, and he also gave another person an overdose of NTG. I dont know if he was actually trying to kill people or if he just wanted to be an EMT so bad he stepped over the line. Either way it is downright scary. There should be more stringent laws in place on who can and cannot purchase EMS lights and sirens, and also you would have to go through your service to purchase them and getting the crew cheif and MD's ok first. Also you have these people that "pimp" out their vehicles, they easily have access to strobes and such that can be easily used on POVs. These lights are handy for the actual EMS personnel, but they shouldnt be easily accessible to the general public. -Dixie

Is it just as bad to smoke in the bays where the ambulances are kept?? I'd hate to light one up and the O2 cannister comes flying out the side of the box flaming towards me, LOL. I know that wont actually happen, but do you think its just as bad to smoke in the bays where the ambulances are as it is to actually smoke in the ambulance??? I just want some opionions on this. -Dix

If one person in the marriage is in a leadership role at the service then they need to work at different services as the whole favorites game comes into play. If they do work at the same service, you'll notice that their private lives and their professional work often collide, and it is never a good thng. This can be very serious on-scene when emotions may begin to run high and pt. care is compromised. That is why the military doesnt favor the marriage of two soldiers of different rankings. They dont want to risk that for fellow soldiers out in the line of duty. (sorry to go on a wild tangent, but trying to give an axample) But the couple are of equal ranking within the service then they should be on a different truck and at different stations. The only time they would work together is during a massive MCI, which are few and far between. Working with your spouse at first may seem fun ,but then when you get home, you dont get to have that "How was your day at work?" conversation anymore. After about 3 weeks of nonstop seperation, you are going to start finding little annoyances that will get under your skin. Plus arguments that happened at home will continue at work. Not a good work atmosphere for anybody. If things get bad enough, the lead guy usually has to end up firing BOTH spouses. Then both of you are out of a job. Just try working at seperate services to begin with. If you both really think you can handle working at the same service at least consider being in different bases and possibly diferent shifts. But ask yourselves a serious question: Would you become jealous of your partner if he/she received a promotion and you didnt?? It happens and partnerships end on a bad note if this is not discussed early on. -Dix

Rid, Here in Arkansas there actually was a guy going around the state impersonating being a Paramedic. He went so far as to buy an old ambulance and restored it, lights, sirens, the whole nine yards. He went to an online medical supply store and bought the supplies and uniform. He did such a good job no one realized he was fake for almost 6 mos! Then one of his pts that he "treated" went down to the local EMS station to thank the guy for saving his life and the crew was like, "that aint one of our guys." But the pt demanded to speak to the "paramedic". Finally he got to speak to the crew chief, and the crew cheif realized there was an impostor runing aruond. So the crew cheif called the state DoH so they could start an investigation into the matter. Within about 3 weeks, they pin pointed who it was then all of a sudden the impostor disappeared. Then about a year later he showed up in a neighboring county doing the same thing. Finally they just had to set him up for an ambush. They staged a mock MVA, and this guy happened to be passing by and he got the pt. in the truck, then the pt. revealed that he was an undercover cop and he arrested the impostor on the spot. They did a background check and as far anyone knew he had no medical training whatsoever. Makes you think twice about accepting help when an ambulance shows up. I think altogether the guy treated around 80-100 pts during his spree. Just teaches the general public, if your in doubt about your medic you do have the right to refuse and the right to ask for credentials! To the real medics I wish there was a way to make it illegal for the general public to purchase an ambulance that is less than 20 years old. Anything that is more than 20 y/o is going to look really out of place at an MVA. I know some rich guys that purchase vintage ambulances and restore them and donate them to museums, that is ok. But not for the general public to purchase and utilize. -Dix