ateupmedic3033

Greetings Mr. Grayson. I never realized you were a member here. I definitely noticed the change in the writing, hence my mea culpa. My criticisms aside, I did enjoy the book and was looking for the sequel. Anyone who has spent time in EMS has been in the newbie, I-know-better-than-anyone-else stage, including myself. One thing that medical school made me realize is how little I really knew and how much I didn't know what I didn't know.

So when is the next book coming out?

As soon as I get off my ass and compile it.

I've probably got enough stories from my blog for a book, and then some. What I'd like to do is cull the best ones from there, and include about twenty of new materials, and weave it into a narrative thread that doesn't look like a bunvh of short stories.

One of my biggest beefs with my original editor at Kaplan was that he deleted about a dozen chapters of what he called "fluff" from the original book. What he called fluff was what wove everything together, and what was left looks like a collection of short stories

After the book was published, I was vindicated in that the most common criticism from readers was that it felt disjointed and unfinished, with no narrative flow - which is exactly what I and his proofreaders told the jerk when he butchered my book.

I'm hoping that the sequel will far exceed the original.

As long as the artery indicators are lined up correctly, shouldn't make a difference.

Having just finished the book and reading the last chapter, I take back some of my previous criticism.

The backstory is, the stories in the book were of my first ten years in EMS, and yes, I was an arrogant and egotistical little snot back then, although never intentionally. I did have the luxury of having a great deal of trust granted to me by my medical director and bosses back then. Some of that trust and freedom shaped me into the medic I could be one day...

... and some of that gave me enough rope to almost hang myself.

It simply took a few years for my skills to catch up to my ego.

The last story was told as a flashback, fifteen years into my EMS career, about a call around year five. Those of you who have read it can probably spot the change in perspective.

Also, keep in mind that I was a fledgling writer going through an unexpected separation, and writing the book late at night sitting in the right seat of an ambulance, literally trying to keep myself from losing my mind. When circumstances have knocked you to your knees and you're questioning everything you thought to be true in your life, your mind tends to gravitate to the memories where you thought you were in control and on top of your game, because in the present moment, you are anything but.

Both my writing and my attitude have matured a lot since.

Allow the patient to equilibrate for two minutes after each position change before rechecking pulse and BP.

A pulse increase of 20 points or more is considered a significant finding, and IIRC, is a more reliable measure than changes in systolic BP.

And of course, if they're already hypotensive while lying down, don't friggin' stand 'em up.

My latest column on EMS1.com.

Y'all enjoy, and stay safe.

Damn should've paid more attention to the forum! I'm a great writer, but certainly can't write anything in 24 hours... and I really feel I should have SOME experience not just being a serious green EMT.

-MetalMedic

Well, the contest is especially *for* EMS newbies, so if you've been in EMS less than 2 years, you qualify. Plus you've got till midnight to get an essay done!

Dwayne, as the post said, it's limited to EMS newbies (either EMT-B students or practicing EMT's with less than 2 years of experience.

The topic and further contest rules can be found on the contest page at the link I posted.

Man...I'm trying to think of who here will qualify?

And is this contest happening here only? Country wide? What is it's scope? Just curious. And as LS said...kick ass prizes...the contest has yet to be seen...

Dwayne

Hey guys, we're running an essay contest on Confessions of an EMS Newbie. First prize is an all-expense-paid trip to EMS World Expo in Las Vegas, an ER shift shadowing Dr. Bryan Bledsoe, and an appearance on the EMS Newbie live podcast from the show floor. We have cool prizes for 2nd and 3rd place, too!

Entries are limited to EMS newbies (EMT students or less than 2 years EMS experience), and the submission deadline is midnight, June 1.

Go to Confessions of an EMS Newbie for details, and spread the word to any EMS newbies you may know!

http://www.emsnewbie.com/vegasbaby/

I renew my call to shut down each and every service that uses the word "star" in their name. It's getting ridiculous.

The fact that so many administrators have so little imagination that they can't come up with a more original name pretty well explains why they also can't come up with a decent service.

I swear one day I'm going to open a company called "Fish and Bein Ambulance."

Any applicants that actually get the name get preferential hiring consideration.

October 13-17, 2008. Personally, I'd make early plans to attend the Texas EMS Conference in Novemeber of this year, and EMStock in 2009.

Texas EMS Conference beats either of the big national conferences hands-down, and EMStock is the one unique venue where you can hear nationally known speakers, eat great food, and share fellowship in an ego-free setting for less than $100 - and that includes lodging, if you like to camp out.

What's not to like about a conference where you can pay $20 to get in, eat world-class chili and barbecue for three days, hear great live bands, and then stroll over - beer in hand - to the CE tent for your lectures? More people ought to catch on to it.

"Probably....Gary, likes cigars."

Yup, that'd be him. A smart and funny guy, and a class act all the way around. He and I do a pretty mean EMS standup routine.

"But otherwise, it was like one of those anonymous gang-bang orgies, without the sex."

Is that what was making all the noise in the RV park? Dammit, I knew I messed up just bringing the tent!

That picture of me sitting on the collapsed camp chair?

<i>Totally</i> Phud's fault.

I enjoyed the hell out of it, guys. I'll be back every year they have an EMStock, and plugging it mercilessly on my blog all the while. The venue may be a bit untraditional, but this is what EMS education and fellowship was meant to be - no egos, no ranks, no politics, just lots of good people sharing some knowledge and experience.

PS: Liked that Texas campfire, did ya? Geez, you'd think the Canuck had never seen a redneck beer cooler before. :wink:

Fentanyl's onset of effects is faster than Morphine, making it easier to titrate to effect while you are still sitting 18 inches from the cot. It also avoids the histamine-mediated hypotension common with morphine.

I think Morphine hung around so long because of it's supposed effects on reducing preload, which we now know isn't all that much, and not all that important either. Effective pain relief results in less catecholamine release, which results in less myocardial work and irritability, and ultimately a smaller MI. Fentanyl is a better pain reliever than Morphine, and it's perfect for prehospital use.

Hey 4cmk6?

See that bulge in my right cheek? That's my tongue. :wink:

I usually let my partner do the driving, but "A Day In The Life Of An Ambulance Rider" just didn't have the same ring.

Ambulance Driver

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

Ambulance Driver