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Depending on the fire, when I run the rehab unit I pull firefighters off anywhere from a half hour to an hour, depending on the type of fire, temperature etc. I take their vitals, bp, respirations, pulse, make sure they sit and drink fluids and make them sit for at least 20 minutes, recheck vitals and release them to go back or pack up. Then I get the next bunch. They absolutely hate it when I do it, because I make them sit out and rest. If I get any resistance I notify the fire chief, after all its on his orders that I pull them out. I have only had one time I had to take two firefighters away to the hospital and that is because they were caught in a fire storm. They were treated and released.

He may have been lucky, but around here we call him STUPID [-X

There is only ER Doc I take exception with. We had an attempted suicide call, we were five minutes from the hospital, within two to three minutes of that we hit a dead zone for cell phones to call the hospital. We use cell phones because the hospital is in another state and closest, they have no radio etc. So we call in and then arrive at the hospital about two minutes later. The Doc comes strolling thru the ER and says " I would appreciate more than a couple minutes notice next time" WTF :evil: I almost asked what his schedule was so we could schedule the next one for his convience.

The only thing I have that identifies me as an EMT is my license in my billfold, and my uniform I wear on calls. I have a T shirt given to me as a joke, CO ED Naked EMT "Only the tuff work a code in the buff" I have that down deep in the dresser. I have also carried a first aid kit in my trunk since I have owned a car and been driving and I have been driving since 1964. So for being a whacker, I definitely am not.

Whats a cookbook Protocols, or steps are to me a basic outline, or framework to follow, they give you the gist of what you need to do, the rest is up to you and how well you perceive your patients problems and how well you treat your patients problems. In any case the above responses have pretty well covered your questions. You will, as you gain education and experience, be able to see the difference in every partner you have. Never stop learning, and never stop asking questions or seeking answers.

7 pages and no body count! Amazing

There is the "right of way" and there is the right way. While ambulances, fire and police may have a right of way, they need to drive the right way so as to arrive safely and return safely. The unit I refer to drives with total disregard to others and their own safety, to them its a joy ride. Believe me if I ever have an accident in that community and I am conscious, I will sign a refusal of treatment form, even if I am dying to avoid riding with them and I am not alone in that regard.

I have a major problem with people who drive ambulances who think they can run red lights, drive recklessly just because they are behind the wheel in a box with an engine that happens to have lights and sirens. We have a neighboring community where that attitude prevails. I was actually told by one of the people who are on that ambulance service that I needed to pay attention because they have the right of way. They also believe that because they all have whacker lights on their POV's they too have absolute rights to run stop lights, stop signs and drive recklessly. While Ems, Fire and police are allowed some latitude in running those same said traffic signals, your on your own if you are involved in an accident. Sad to say many have found that out the hard way, and they caused the death or critical injuries that would not have happened if they had driven with "due regard" for others.

I am sitting here reading and trying to understand some of this debate , and my opinion such as it is. BULL WHACKY. Unless I missed something in all them classes I attended and still attend, the cervical spine is not the only part of the spine. There are several other components such as thoracic, lumbar to name two, and we were taught that in order to immobilize any one part of the spine you immobilize the entire spine. It just makes sense, common sense that is. I also know for a fact that if we showed up in an emergency room at our to community hospitals with someone with just a c collar the Dr. would rip us a new one. Basically our local Dr.s were our instructors in some of our classes in trauma and spinal immobilzation. Here the Dr.s are a big part of our EMS system and are very involved with our education and continuing education. Off soap box now.

Both which are associated with acute pancreatitis, or etopic pregancy, adom. blunt trauma.

Questions: What color was the vomit? I believe that could be a pertinent question. Normal stomach contents etc. or bile? Second does the pain radiate at all? Does it hurt to inhale or exhale? Pleurisy comes to mind, or inflamed gall bladder.

Cool pictures Dust. When you said you were coming home in 12 days, was that just for R and R or permanently?

In our county we have an aging population. We see a lot of elderly with SOB, Chest Pains, and those who have fallen. One of the units ends up doing a lot of transfers from the small community hospital to the hospitals in Omaha or Council Bluffs, these said same elderly they get called out for originally. They are stabilized at the community hospital and prepped for transfer.

Pt. walking around, you still can take manual control of C spine. IE stand behind pt. and place hands in proper place for c spine control. Two when unit arrives that has all the c collars and back boards, you still maintain control of c spine while they put a collar on, and place a backboard behind standing pt. Then you do a standing takedown of the patient, all while maintaining c spine. After head blocks in place and pt. strapped properly to backboard and then others who are transporting can take over from you. That is what I would do and we do all the time when we have the walking wounded from a roll over. Car upside down is a significant MOI, even if the pt was strapped in. You never know what happened to the organs, specifically the brain and the spine being bounced about in a roll over, and when the pt. extricates themselves, hummm. They are strapped in, car upside down, think about it. Think about the MOI, think about the possibilities.

I am having trouble understanding this post. Did not anyone manually control C Spine until unit arrived with collars and backboard? You need to provide more info in a logical and clearly written post for anyone to critique your call.

I think a red flag should have gone up here, and seeing how its a nursing home, two red flags. I was taught that Battle's sign is seen several days following a basilar skull fracture. There may have been bloody drainage from the ear immediately after the fracture occurred and possibly nobody noticed.

Fresh blood, hydrogen peroxide, dab the spots and rub, rinse with cold water etc. But since you have already washed the garment it may not be possible to get the stain out. Laundering sets the stain. I have always used the peroxide bit, and always use cold water as warm or hot water sets stains.

Just use an all season radial tire.

Oops, you did wink. Sorry missed that one. Must have been the incoming rounds that drowned out your wink. :wink:

Definition - Quarters 1. housing accommodations, as a place of residence; lodgings. 2. Military. the buildings, houses, barracks, or rooms occupied by military personnel or their families.

They must not know its not nice to piss "Dustdevil" off. :evil: Good thing you were not sitting there when the round hit.

Since we are at least 50 miles from the nearest Trauma Center, it will greatly depend on the situation. We fly severe trauma, weather cooperating. Most recent I was involved in was a cowboy who had about 1500 lbs of pissed off bronc come down on his chest, head and shoulder. He was flown. One that should have flown but helos were grounded due to weather was a kid who was ejected thru the sun roof of a vehicle. He was transported to the hospital then taken by Critical Care Unit to the trauma center with a Dr. and paramedics on board. Depends on the situation and the medic on scene and the weather.

Just seeing the bed made would have given me a massive coronary.

You get dispatched for head pain to the local motel and you walk in and the desk clerk tells you she has someone who is trying to commit suicide. No they did not shoot themselves in the head. This person took what she thought was the generic form of xanax and it wasn't. She took over 90 pills of a muscle relaxant.

I just wear Ropers or my Justin Banderas, both comfortable and sturdy for me. Hubby has worn nothing but western work boots for the past eon.