Alcomedicism

GIT R' DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I voted for Larry.

I could probably see same shift, but probably diff bases and crew as well. Most comapnies would want it that way so that no one can say he/she is playing favorites. And also it prevents problems between the couple at work which can escalate and affect the job. Its just better not be with family while at work, there is too many things that could destroy the relationship on a personal and professional level. -Dix

We have 928 square miles to cover. 3 trucks are on duty at a time. One at Dardanelle, one at Danville, and one at Ola, along with call backs for each station. The Ola station usually has to cover the Danville staton if there is a long transport. We desperately need at least two more stations to cut down on response times in the far reaches of this county. There have been a few times when all 3 trucks were out and the county was left open! -Dix

Ok, Ive just returned from my little workout. Heres what I did today, though it seems like Ive only half-assed it today due the soreness still lingering. I put my watch on a 15 min timer, then I would walk 1 minute for every 2 minutes of jogging, start out with your jogging and your intervals will come out perfect with the 15 mins. I also walked another half mile just to put miles on the old pedometer. It also helpes loosen the legs after the actual workout. I then did a 100 m sprint just to go out like a gun, also helps getting the muscles to explode that way when you need to boogie, you can boogie! I did another complete round of stretches and leg movements to keep them limber the rest of the day. I will go back out and do it again in 45 mins. The more you move the better you'll be for it. Also did 200 crunches and did the 45 degree angle ab twists (3 sets of 15 will do) I also did a modified push-up. stand with you feet shoulder width apart, and put your hands on a rail or countertop, should be a 45 degree angle, now do 3 sets of 10 push-ups. Then I went to a chair, sat on the edge of it and put my legs out at a 90 degree angle, do dips, 3 sets of 10. These work your triceps. Triceps help your biceps lift. I also did box squats, 3 sets of 10. These help strengthen your legs. As you get better at these be sure toeither add reps or adds weights. Remember, you need to use your legs to lift, not your back! Do lunges, at first they are going to hurt, but you'll be better and you'll feel better, your legs wont feel so tight and sore for a little while. If anyone here knows how to work your biceps w/o weights let me know, because I want my biceps back! Tomorrow my goal is to run the full length from the city ark to the school, about a 1/2 mile, then doing intervals back to the park. During these first few weeks it is easy to build up mileage and endurance, but when you hit that plateau its time to turn it up a notch. Also, if yo want to add fun to your workout I suggest playing fast paced music during your workout, I guarantee your going to be concentrating on the beats so much you are going to forget how tired you are. Also try dancing for an aerobic workout, dont worry about special moves, jsut dance and have fun! -Dix

Im glad its over too. I still cant believe one family's struggle divided a whole nation. Now Terri can rest in peace and be whole again. I bet she's up there dancing now. -Dix

I would think they wouldnt be used unless there would be a long transport time, because if there is a short transport or if Life Flight were coming, it would just take too long to put them on the pt. Alot of times if a pt is that serious around here, they just load n' go and drive like hell to the ER. The medics here arent going to waste precious time putting the MAST on if they cant get the pt to a ER pronto. My two cents. -Dix

I think most EMS workers have something against their lungs. LOL. You know we could easily form a smokers anonymous group here. It doesnt exactly make sense when I am trying to get fit, and I continue to smoke. :roll: But I will admit I have less cravings for a smoke after a run, especially when I am gasping for air and damn near close to collapsing. -Dix

Yup I think Richard has pretty much described me. Psychotic little woman. LOL -Dix

Ambo, Your going to need for the muscles in your legs to get stretched out, thats part of the pain. But the pain usually lasts only 3-4 days IF you continue to work out, just dont puch yourself too hard on that 2nd day, the 3rd day your going to want Grannys walker. But if you stretch those muscles out and keep you legs moving you going to be able to walk with minimal pain. Basically what Im doing right now for the soreness is stretching the muscles out and getting them conditioned. As well as taking pain relievers and keep moving as much as I can, even after the workout. Now when you wake up in the mornings, thats where youre going to be the most sore. Start your day like this: sit up in your bed with you legs out in front of you and touch your toes (no bending you knees, thats cheating!) Now do a spread eagle and touch your toes again. Nw touch your toes on your L foot, now your R foot. Next, bring the soles of your feet together, like a butterfly, push down on you knees keeping you feet together Now lay back down on your back and bring your R foot to your R hip. Do the same thing on your left side. Now get up out of bed, but wait, there's a few more stretches to do before you take another step. Feet together, bend over touch your toes again Now cross you L foot over your R foot, touch your toes, reverse for the other foot. While standing, grab onto a chair or your nightstand for balance, bring your R foot to your R hip again, same for the L side. This stretches a diff muscle group while standing from the one while sitting, feel it yet? Now place your R foot on your nightstand, touch them toes! Same for L foot. Now spread you feet wide, touch L toes, then R toes, down the middle With feet still spread apart do a side ways lunge to your left, now you right. Now do regular lunges for each side. Now do the splits. Do you feel better now? I bet you do. Now you can go off to enjoy your day as you normally do. Also a key part to these stretches is that they must be done consistently. Some of these stretches will actually help your flexibility and balance. Also during the first week plan on doing the whole morning routine, then every couple of hours do couple more stretches to keep the legs limber and not as sore. The more you sit, the more they will stiffen up and be sore. -Dixie

Schiavo Case Update: Appeals court invites additional Schiavo review Parents get green light to ask for new hearingThe Associated Press Updated: 11:55 a.m. ET March 30, 2005PINELLAS PARK, Fla. - Terri Schiavo's parents and their lawyers were preparing for a new day in court Wednesday, after federal judges agreed to let them file a request for a new hearing on whether to reconnect their severely brain-damaged daughter's feeding tube. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta issued a written order without comment late Tuesday allowing Bob and Mary Schindler to file the appeal, even though the court had set a March 26 deadline for doing so. In the one-sentence order, the court said: “The Appellant’s emergency motion for leave to file out of time is granted.” The court didn’t say when it would decide whether to grant the hearing. Last week, it twice ruled against the Schindlers, who are trying to keep their daughter alive. In requesting a new hearing, the Schindlers argued that a federal judge in Tampa should have considered the entire state court record and not just the procedural history when he ruled against the parents. Failing health Time was running out for Schiavo, however. Bob Schindler described his daughter as "failing" on Tuesday, her 12th day without nourishment. "She still looks pretty darn good under the circumstances," Schindler said. "You can see the impact of no food and water for 12 days. Her bodily functions are still working. We still have her." Doctors have said Schiavo, 41, would probably die within a week or two of the tube being removed. The request for a new hearing also asks to have the tube reinserted immediately "in light of the magnitude of what is at stake and the urgency of the action required." Vigil continues Tuesday's decision was a ray of hope for the Schindlers, who have lost a string of court battles over their daughter's fate. The case has wound its way through six courts for seven years; the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene five times. Protesters keeping a 24-hour vigil outside the hospice praised the latest order. "There's a chance for a miracle," said Christine Marriott, 43, who rushed to the hospice after hearing the news on TV. "Anything positive is a breath of life." Early Wednesday, a man was arrested when he tried to bring a plastic cup of water into the hospice. Police officers stopped him at the gate as he shouted: “You don’t know God from Godzilla!” He became the 48th protester arrested since the feeding tube was removed. Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was removed March 18 on a court order sought by her husband, Michael, who contends she wouldn't want to be kept alive artificially. She suffered catastrophic brain damage in 1990 when her heart stopped for several minutes because of a chemical imbalance apparently brought on by an eating disorder. But the Schindlers have maintained that their daughter would want to be kept alive. On Tuesday, they asked the appeals court to consider their request for a new hearing based on the seven-year history of evidence in the case, rather than whether previous Florida court rulings have met legal standards under state law. The request contends that the federal court in Tampa had "committed plain error when it reviewed only the state court case and outcome history." Court playing it safe? Attorneys for the Schindlers have argued that Terri Schiavo's rights to life and privacy were being violated. Attorneys for the Schindlers and Michael Schiavo didn't immediately return phone messages early Wednesday. "I think the courts want to be sure that there's no accusation that any legal argument was ignored," said attorney Neal Sonnett, former chairman of the American Bar Association's criminal justice section. Federal courts were given jurisdiction to review Schiavo's case after Republicans in Congress pushed through unprecedented emergency legislation aimed at prolonging Schiavo's life. But federal courts at two have levels rebuffed the family. On Tuesday, Mary Schindler made a terse but emotional appeal to Michael Schiavo and his fiance: "Michael and Jodi, you have your own children. Please, please give my child back to me." Michael Schiavo and Jodi Centonze have two children, born long after Terri Schiavo's collapse. Jesse Jackson, Laura Bush weigh in The Rev. Jesse Jackson prayed with the Schindlers on Tuesday and joined conservatives in calling for state lawmakers to order her feeding tube reinserted. The former Democratic presidential candidate was invited by Schiavo's parents to meet with activists outside Schiavo's hospice. His arrival was greeted by some applause and cries of "This is about civil rights!" "I feel so passionate about this injustice being done, how unnecessary it is to deny her a feeding tube, water, not even ice to be used for her parched lips," he said. "This is a moral issue and it transcends politics and family disputes." First lady Laura Bush also commented on the case Tuesday, saying the government was right to have intervened on behalf of Schiavo. "It is a life issue that really does require government to be involved," Bush said aboard a plane bound for Afghanistan, where she was to promote education and women's rights. During Jackson's visit, a man was tackled to the ground by officers when he tried to storm into the hospice, police said. The man, who was arrested, had two bottles of water with him but did not reach the hospice door, police said. © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. I dont think putting her back on the feeding tube is going to save her at this point, she much too dehydrated by now to even recover. Her organs are going to continue failing at this point if it were reinsterted. The damage has been done. I stil think that starving/dehydrating her is inhumane, she still has a nervous system, but I am not sure if she is feeling pain or if she is feeling nothing at all. Some people have said that when the body is deprived of food and water it goes into a euphoric state to keep pain at bay. Just bringing in an update. -Dixie

It peeves me when I am listening to the scanner and I hear an MVA that occured on or near the county line and it takes the dispatchers 10-15 mins to figure out which unit to call out to the scene. Alot of times now if its on or near the county line, both crews show up, and they decide from there. The confusion here only adds to the on-scene response time as well as transport time. -Dixie

Not only that I think licensed sounds alot more professional than certified. But its going to take alot of legislation to get it changed from certificates to licenses. There is alot of knowledge to be learned along with those skills, even at the basic level. Why do you think we have to take a written examination as well as a practical? -Dixie

I think that I read somewhere some of the traffic controls are controlled by switching the siren on. I could be wrong though. They are at every major intersection in Russellville, AR that I've noticed. Im curious as to how some these work. -Dixie

Well I got up this morning and Lordy I am SORE!! I know why Im sore, its becasue: 1. I am using muscles I have not used in eons 2. oxygen is getting to places it hasnt been in eons. The surrounding tissue is like WTF?? But the only way to get over this soreness and to keep from being sore in the future is to keep on excercising. If you sit around you are going be even more sore because the muscles will stiffen. So heres what I plan on doing today now that I know where Im at fitness-wise: Do intervals of jogging and walking. This will help the muscles loosen up while not providing a strenous workout that will put you flat on your butt. Do some leg work that will help trim and tone the buttocks, hips and thighs. This usually includes the walking lunges, butt-kickers, and russian walk. I'll also throw in calf-raises to work the calves. Latters will be added for an agility work-out. Yes, you need to be agile in EMS because are going to get in those unforseen ditches and potholes, you'll need to find you balance quickly if your loaded with equipment and a pt. And yes I'll do my 5 push-ups as well. Its sad I cant do more then 5, I've got puny arms, but in time they will be buff as they once were in the good old days. Also, if you find yourself cramping and screaming in pain as though you are having an MI in your leg, eat a banana. Cramps are due to the lack of potassium in the tissues, and bananas have lots of it. If anyone is dieting and they are successful please share your tips with the rest of us fat couch potatoes. -Dixie

I have started trying to whack myself back into shape. Today I went out running (Ha!) thought I would make the half-mile jog. I dont think I made 300 meters. although I did get in a few crunches and other leg work such as lunges and latters. When I arrived back at my vehicle at the park the H.S. girls and my former basketball coach was there, working out. And I thought to myself, Gawd I am so out of shape! It was embarrassing for me to be seen lobbing my way up the hill by all these youngsters. I hung my head in shame. But after working out for a total of 90 mins I felt better physically and mentally. I dont feel quite so sluggish. I ended up doing this: ran 3/4 mile, walked the rest of the way 30 lunges 30 knee-highs 30 butt kickers 30 scooters 30 high skips 30 fast skips 50 calf raises on both legs 35 calf raises on R leg 35 calf raises on L leg 200 crunches 3 sets of 15 what a call half sit-up w/ twist 30 3-cut steps and last but not least 5 push ups! After all of this hoobahoo my legs feel like jello gelatin. Oh and when I tried doing some stair steppers, I nearly snapped my ankle in half. That ended my workout. All of this in a sentence: Im not as healthy or fit as I thought I was. If anyone here wants to join me in my crazy quest for fitness I'd be happy to start a small group of people to keep us on track and enourage one another. -Dixie

I have started trying to whack myself back into shape. Today I went out running (Ha!) thought I would make the half-mile jog. I dont think I made 300 meters. although I did get in a few crunches and other leg work such as lunges and latters. When I arrived back at my vehicle at the park the H.S. girls and my former basketball coach was there, working out. And I thought to myself, Gawd I am so out of shape! It was embarrassing for me to be seen lobbing my way up the hill by all these youngsters. I hung my head in shame. But after working out for a total of 90 mins I felt better physically and mentally. I dont feel quite so sluggish. I ended up doing this: ran 3/4 mile, walked the rest of the way 30 lunges 30 knee-highs 30 butt kickers 30 scooters 30 high skips 30 fast skips 50 calf raises on both legs 35 calf raises on R leg 35 calf raises on L leg 200 crunches 3 sets of 15 what a call half sit-up w/ twist 30 3-cut steps and last but not least 5 push ups! After all of this hoobahoo my legs feel like jello gelatin. Oh and when I tried doing some stair steppers, I nearly snapped my ankle in half. That ended my workout. All of this in a sentence: Im not as healthy or fit as I thought I was. If anyone here wants to join me in my crazy quest for fitness I'd be happy to start a small group of people to keep us on track and enourage one another. -Dixie

Our Fire Dept and Rescue squad here are in the same house, so I guess the FD does the rescue work. But we also have a dive specialty team too. -Dixie

interesting way of looking at it. -Dixie

I havent had much of a problem here, but there are a few and thankfully I havent had the pleasure to deal with them yet, but I have heard a story or two. When I was doing my clinicals in the ER, the doc I got to work with was pretty nice. He showing me diff. ways to spot a frequent flyer and how to tell if the pt really was as serious as they let on. He even taught me few Doc skills such as spotting certain fractures on a x-ray, and he taught me how to use the ER defribillator, thats where my interest ofr EKGs got sparked, though it is diff. Also the nurses there were extremely helpful. And finally I had a blast in the ER, more fun than I thought it would be. Im just glad I was able to have the good experience instead of a bad one. -Dixie

yes I smoke, but I dont smoke a pack a day, I normally smoke about a pack in 2.5 days. Also if I am extremely bored or stressed, and yes boredom does stress me out, I smoke more. i've thought about quitting but I keep telling myself, Ill start tomorrow, always tomorrow I only smoke in designated areas. -Dixie

I have never seen a specialty Bariatric Unit, so if someone has pic of one, would you care to post or send me one via PM or email? my email is anabolic_frolic02@hotmail.com. If you are sending it to me please put EMT City Bariatric Unit in the subject line. -Dixie

Thank you usaf and Whelson for posting. I think its time to let this thread die of natural causes. -Dixie

If your unit specializes in bariatric transport, dont you have a lift??? Kinda like a wheelchair lift, only it is made for the gurney. If this idea hasnt been thought of yet, then I'd like to put that idea on the back of an ambulance. You are risking your career trying to lift bariatrics all day. You can easily blow out your back, plus I am sure OSHA probably has some say on this. But do go to the gym and workout for your body and carerr's sake. -Dixie

Well hre rwe actually have a Sheriff's mounted patrol. They only get out diring search and resvues though, and the during the Fair Parade. Thereare like 7 or 8 total though for the moutned patrol. The reast are regular sheriff's deputies that drive around in 4x4 Jeep Cherokees with lightbars. -Dixie

When I lived in Frasier Co, there was an O2 bar at the ski park, I tried it once andI felt like I could breathe so much better when I got done. I started showing up about once a week for a little O2 "therapy". But then sadly I moved here to Arkie in11th grade. No more O2 bars. I hope they put one on Mt. Magazine when they get done building the new lodge, I'd go every week again. It seems like I breathe better when I've had my weekly dose...... -Dixie