Don1977

I understand and agree with that, K. But when we're talking about less than enough to buy lunch, are we even talking about money? No, of course not. This isn't about the money. This is about the gesture.

What's the difference in being tipped a sawbuck to say "thanks" and the community throwing a parade in our honour? Both are gestures of appreciation, and they should be respected as such.

Before you expect respect, you first have to give it.

I totally agree. And I also believe taht if you treat the patient with respect WHICH EVERY PATIENT SHOULD BE, then theyr espect you, whetehr ita a tip and/or a thank you.

Well, thank you all for your input.....

My director told us if its under $100 dont worry about, but anything over, contact a supervisor.

Rid, I can respect that term "appropriate" care. Thank you

Well, we are a private service, but this occured in the town we do 911 calls in.

Most services here start between $8.50-$9.50 an hour as EMT's and between $12-$16 for medics, I don't think thats bad.

What is unreal there is a few services by Johnstown, Pa that start medics at $10 an hour, which is horrible because as an EMT I make almost $11 an hour. I can't believe they pay medics so low there.

Assessment is not a BLS skill. The subject of real assesment just skims the surface in EMT classes. I would argue that assessment is an ALS skill. The whole thing of BLS before ALS is just bull.

I disagree, but respect your opinion...

I have no problem with fire and ems cross training but i do agree with Lone Star, don't cut fire for ems and fire for police........................... don't cut any public service for the other period!

Transported a lady who fell tonight , had a skin tear that bled pretty good, we transported her back home about 3 hours later, well she offered a tip and I stated, "the company really doesn't want us to take tips, but if you insist we will" She said "I insist, you guys are too nice" As we got her off stretcher and she got settled she gave us $5 to split up, this has happened a few times to me and to be honest i do tell them we should not take it and the company says not to, but they insist I don't tell them no a second time, sometimes they get more offended when they are told no, I have seen that too.

So, whats your opinion and thoughts on this?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. The two should be practiced together. As I have said in the past, in the real world of medicine there are no such things as ALS and BLS. There is patient care. The mantra you bring up is what is used by people that try to make themselves feel better about their position. BLS really is nothing more than first aid practiced in the back of an ambulance.

As for your story about the medic who went to the hospital without "lights and whistles," I'm not sure what the point was. Are you being critical of his decision not to use lights and whistles? If you consider that decision poor patient care you might want to review some of the literature on the use of lights and sirens. I am not sure if there is any literature to support the use of whistles in an ambulance but I would guess that they would not be very effective since traffic may not be able to hear them. I don't know if there is any state that recognizes the use of whistles as an emergency device either.

I do agree with BLS before ALS, do you start an IV before you assess a patient??? but I also feel if the medic doesnt want to use L&S then thats his/her discretion. Just my 2 cents.

I notice once again that the 'S' word keeps coming up again. As has been stated about a 1,376 times on this forum it is not about 'skills' it is about education. I can teach a monkey to start an IV, I cannot educate it to understand why it is starting the IV.

I totally agree with this.

I tell them what I know, and tell them "I am not a doctor".

I have learned that we are a bunch of egotistical, opinionated, hard headed, obnoxious, stubborn jerks and thats just some of our good points.

But really those points have led to some of our best debates. Often leading after we all calmed down to some of the best educational discussions. As a result I have re-evaluated myself, I have changed how I do some things, I have changed my opinions on some things, and developed a much greater understanding of the environments others work in.

In conclusion I want to thank all the little people.

HAHA, I have to agree, but what I have learned is all the different stuff EMT's can and cannot do in different states, its amazing.

Good point reaper, sorry

So, really, if you all are so worried about her being a "15 yr" EMT and talk about her becoming a medic, why don't you all pay for her medic class?? Im sure she won't mind....can we stay with the topic?

To continue the education EMTDON970 states that D50 was given to a cardiac arrest pt. If you had ACLS you will know that hypoglycemia is a H of the H's and T's of Asystole assuming a BGL was checked and was low. So it could have been correct. What medics do is based on knowledge as well as state protocols with options based on the pts presentation. If you would like us to judge if a medics actions were justified then we need every detail of the scene. SAMPLE, OPQRST, Pt environment, age, sex, I, II, and III lead print out at a minimum, BGL, family history is possible, head to toe physical assessment, and other information. The medic is responsible for his actions and if you feel, for your education, after a call if you would like to know why or why not something was done then a good medic will explain it to you post call. To question their decision on a call is arrogant and unless the are starting an IV in the eyeball your there to assist them with pt care as they are the one that has to answer to medical command since they are the higher level of care. If you want to debate their decision become a paramedic.

Ok, I did fail to mention, that this D50 was given down an ET tube, sorry.

And this medic got his certification pulled after this, so I guess it was aproblem at that time.

I have seen some horrible medics at times, I don't think its a problem to question them on what they did or not do, just do it after the call.

I heard about a medic here that gave Morphine to a seizure patient. And a medic who gave D50 to an arrest patient.

Pittsburgh has ER tech's all they are is EMTs and medics in the hospital. they start at usually between $10.50 to $16 an hour, depends on experience.

Should have been locked a while ago. People don't know how to stop

I work that shift now, 4 12hrs days on, 4 off then 3 12 hrs on, then 3 days off.

8P-8A and love it, wouldnt trade it in

Uh yes, here we go! The great ALS or BLS debate.

:blah5:

Thank you, Jullian Mr. spelling........

If you can't type in a coherent manner. Go somewhere else. Or use spellcheck, dear God!

Heres a simple solution! DONT BUY THEM!!!

Asjed a nurse the other night for a fax number so my dispatcher could fax directions to us, because me or my partner TOES 975, has never been to this place, she threw the papwerwork at me and huffed off and sadi "the ambulance drivers need a fax number", that really pissed in TOES's Wheaties.

If you dont lime your job, go somewhere else

Good job baby!

My company starts out between $9 and $9.50 an hour. Benefits suck, I have been here 6 years, so im not doing to bad, could make more but not compalining.