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TylerHastings

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Posts posted by TylerHastings

  1. Similar to what ParaMatt_ said is to look at the Care Bears in the Orange County Area, the one thing I caution you though is that they do have a track record for injuring many people myself included.  You will have to stick to your guns when it comes to lifting principals.   I will also warn you that getting into 911 EMS in any part of SoCal is extremely competitive even in Kern County. 

     

    I am going to catch a lot of heat for this but you will need to bolster your resume(depending on previous life experiences) with other jobs prior, either in EMS or out. 

     

    Feel free to ask some more questions I will stick around for a while...

  2. Wow...talk about blast from the past...I was trying to unlock an old account that used an old email address and saw this notification...most of you won't remember me but a few you will and I am sure that more than a few of you would rather you didn't...

    • Like 1
  3. Second piece of advice always make sure you read posts (and links) fully, it will save you a lot of butt chewing around here. Anyway I was once a student that tried to take the 0 to hero medic mill thing and it just didn't work out yeah I know the cook book on how to do things but I couldn't understand why I was doing it. The cook book method is not what the best for your patient, sometimes the protocols don't work out the first time the way they are supposed to. (At the risk at starting to sound like Dust {RIP} and Dwayne) You have to have a firm grounded knowledge base for why things happen before you can get the higher knowledge on how to fix them. I have come a long way since I took my first medic course and nearly failed out to where I am at now, having taken the entire course load to fulfill prerequisites to get a degree as well as taking a medic course the second time around. I am 1000% better as a COMPETENT pre-hospital care provider now than I was at first, and that is the end goal right to be better at what we do for our patients?

    With that being said I still am not a great writer so forgive me Capt.

    • Like 1
  4. My biggest piece of advice to you is even if you are wanting to stay at the EMT level is never stop taking other courses...take an A and P class, biology, O Chem anything that will better the knowledge in your mind and allow you to be a better provider all the way around. The other piece of advice is no matter how big and scary partners/preceptors might seem they have all been in your shoes once.

  5. So once again Greetings from some place besides my usual place of residence, I am currently typing to you all from Garden City New York so Richard B or any of you other NY folks that want to grab a drink or a cup of coffee give me a shout out I woulde be glad to oblige. You ahve to love this wonderful organization that I work for and how I never know where I am going to be going next.

  6. What part of CA do you live in? If you live down around Los Angeles county there are a lot of opportunities for a non driver on transport companies (read non-911) that are run by little mom and pop companies. While this does not have all of the excitment of the 911 lights and siren go fast buttons, it does give you a great opportunity to sharpen your skills. I for one am better at taking vitals than I ever was in school becuase of these transport calls that I spent many a time on. Look at that as an oppurtunity to hone your skils and develope into a better BLS provider before taking the next step and moving on through a solid curriculum of college courses and a good medic program that won't take you from zero to hero in no time flat. If you have any questions keep posting some of are from the "Great State of CA" and would be more than willing to help you.

    • Like 1
  7. I know exactly who you are Captain, I will send ya message on facebook and thanks for the warm welcome folks. I know I said I will try to be around more often and I genuinely will be but with the hours I work I just ain't as available as I once was...and I am slowly learning I ain't as young as I once was.

  8. Wow...it's been a while since I was around these parts other than a quick lurk at a post that floated across facebook. I am not even sure how many of the folks around here now will even remember me other than Admin, if he is even still around. I truly miss this place and will try to make a more concerted effort to come around more often and see you guys. Now a little update, I am working a wonderful large non profit that many are familiar with after I left medic school I went back to College and completed an AA in Technical theatre as well as working on all of the prerequisite classes that the late Dustdevil and the great AKFlightmedic ordered me to take and yes I am still a EMT B although I am toying with the idea of going for my medic even though I am currently working on a degree in Emergency Management focusing on Disaster Relief. I moonlight from time to time around the great state of CA and look forward to reconnecting with old friend (if any are left) and meeting new ones.

    • Like 3
  9. You know when I first tsarted this post I had a whole bunch of stuff quoted but to be honest thtat just cluttered up my post.

    You stated that you were 18 and not yet an EMT, I am 22 it was not that long ago that I was in your shoes as a matter of fact I skipped my high school graduation so that I could go take my National Registry practicals. With that being said don't you DARE start telling people that have more years in this field than you do alive to get there panties out of a wad or that you helped them stroke their egos. Seeing as I am not much older than you I can say some things and not come off as some elder that is just spouting stuff. You are arrogant if you think that just because you bought a book and read it you are as qualified as I am, I will get to my lack of qualifications here in a second. Your first mistake was responding apparently outside of the agency response matrix if you even belong to said agency. Second you gave the patient Nitro, RuffEMS (or maybe Eyedawn) asked you some questions about Nitro that I can't answer YET. Second of all if I ever had you come across as my student and I knew that you were the guy who posted this on this thread you would do NOTHING BUT CARRY GEAR and this has nothing to do with the fact that you are a student but that you can't keep your stories straight.

    Anyway I will get off that soapbox and move on to the education soap box I am an EMT, As an EMT you know enough to kill your patient, with that being said if I know enough to kill my patient than what do you know...exactly nothing. Did you take the BP by auscultation or by palpation. Do you even know what these words mean?

    You stated in one of your myriad of sad posts that c-spine wasn't rocket science and that since you read how to do it in the book you know how to do it. Have you ever practiced and been guided through how to do it by an experienced preceptor? Can you tell me at what vertebrae does lower extremity paralysis set in, what about upper body paralysis? Also tell me just how did you maintain proper c-spine while applying the collar? Last time I checked it took two hands to hold the head and two to apply the collar? With that being said I attempted paramedic school once I failed out but you know what I am on my way to being a better provider because of that. When you want to start working on EMS as a profession not just some hobby that you do when you need some adrenaline high come talk to me or a number of other professionals on this website and we will set out a curriculum for you that is tough and progressive enough to educate you not just in how to do something but why you do it. I could have been a paramedic out on the streets in 14 months instead I took the long road as our generation of providers needs to do and am getting a degree in the field that I enjoy.

    Now on a more human nature your 18, you think your big bad and Gods gift to man kind, well guess what you ain't your the kind of person that give our generation a bad name, I have had to work hard in my career to overcome the stereotypes that people like you have put onto my generation. You ask what you did wrong we tell you and you tell us that we are stroking our egos. You ask what you did wrong we tell you and you say what none of us do is rocket science well let me tell you something kid I would take just about any of these professionals on this site and I would put my life and the lives of my family in the hands of these "arrogant folks". Now grow up put your boots on and come get some

    education not just from us on this website but from many other experienced professionals that probably are in the community with which you live.

    Oh and I am sorry but you have not EARNED the right to use that avatar IMHO there are only three people that are anywhere near close enough on this site to being able to use that avatar and seeing as your name isn't Dwayne AKFlightmedic or ERDoc please show us a little compassion and change it.

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  10. I can honestly say that if it weren't for Rob (Dustdevil) I would not be an EMT anymore, nore would I be a medic student hopeful who even though I will not walk out with a degree in EMS I will walk out with knowledge that will make me more than just a patch mill medic. I tried medic school once before and Dust (and a few others) told me you really don't want to go that route and me being the punk kid I was thought I knew better so I did it anyway and guess what I failed out. But that was a good thing for me because I walked out with my head held high and I drove straight from that little patch mill to the local college and I enrolled in A and P classes as well as every other class that both he and AK have always been so vocal about and now two years later I am applying for Paramedic school once again, with the knowledge to be the kind of provider that would make him proud.

    Dust you inspired me and I will get through medic this time around come hell or high water and I will do it in memory of you man. See ya in that dispatch center in the sky.

    • Like 1
  11. I don't feel like the gloves excuse was a valid reason however the Paramedic was well within his right to refuse to assist seeing as he was "off-duty" he would not have been covered under any kind of malpractice insurance unless he maintained his own. With all due respect to you I would probably just drop it and say that you don't mention it to your service. You never stated if this medic even worked for your service so I am not sure what good if any that would do.

  12. HOLD THE PHONE!

    You came to US asking a question (which was answered very well) about becoming an EMT-B and the possible 'problems' you might encounter because of your age and the fact that you decided to quit school.

    If you're looking for the 'touchy feely belly rubs and ice cream speeches', EMS ISN'T the place to find it!

    You were given some really good advice on how to accomplish a goal that you want to reach, and then you act like a common chucklehead because you didn't get the rosy answers you expected.... very bad form! You can't slap the messenger simply because you don't like the content of the message.

    You stated:

    It appears that 'the short amount of time it takes to get certified' IS part of the equation though... There have been some very good snippets of advice that included at least two years in college (which by the way will help with your age and insurance issues); and all of a sudden you're accusing us of trying to keep you down and out of EMS....GROW UP!

    Rather than piss and moan about how 'mean' everybody is being toward you, try shutting your mouth, putting your fingers on hold and actually LISTEN to those of us that have 'been there/done that'.

    Many of us here have seen the 'glory hunters' and "half stepping wannabe's" come and go. This isn't a career/profession for just anyone. It takes a special breed to survive the 'uglies' that are in store for you. You came to us looking for the truth, but it appears that "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!" (Thank you,Jack Nicholson!)

    EMS has been noted for 'eating it's own', and you've done nothing but piss off the pirahnas in the pool!

    Yes, you'll have to start at EMT-B. That's looking at around 6 months of school (even through a college). If you want to become a competent Paramedic, then your Associates Degree is the next logical step. Yes, you can go to one of those 'patch mill schools' that is flooding the market with more 'cookbook providers' than steller Paramedics; you're not only cheating yourself, you're also cheating every patient you provide care for.

    EMS is a 'dog eat dog world' and right now you've let the pack know that you're wearing milkbone underwear, and drawn a big red "bulls eye" on your forehead....now is NOT the time to piss off the archer!

    The best advice I can give you right now is to actually LISTEN to the advice being given, and don't start throwing temper tantrums because you don't like the fact that we're trying to tell you how much work is going to be involved in 'doing it right'!

    You said:

    With a statement like that, it's time to put up or shut up. You've been given the tools to make it happen....now prove what you said is true, and make it happen; or slink away with your tail between your legs. The ball is in your court...play it, or hit the showers!

    This gentleman right here is well on his way to having said associates degree, which many of us (including myself) figured would never happen for one reason or another including the fact that this guy was once a anti-being a medic kind of guy. I am proud to say taht this gentleman and a few others that have responded to this thread are now people I consider mentors as was stated don't shoot the messenger just do the time.

    Take it from me man, I was a snot nosed EMT thought I knew everything about everything, I was told the same thing get your degree don't go for the patch. Well I didn't listen to these folks the first time and I left my first paramedic program because of the fast paced and the feeling that I was not learning everything I needed to know to be a true provider. Another thing that you will find with most mills is the fact that they teach you the NREMT test they don't teach you the why's and wherefores of what your doing.

    To address your comments about GED's...I am not a high school graduate most of you on this forum have never heard this before, I did however receive my GED and I left high school part way through my senior year. Does that effect you in a job hunt yes, however I have found it effects you more when you are looking for those unskilled jobs at McDonalds or Pizza Hut than it does when you are looking for a job at AMR or SDMSE or Balboa...I think you said North County. Anyway don't handicap yourself by just being another number to these companies when you go applying be someone who stands out for having the fortitude to stick out the two years for an AS degree.

    • Like 2
  13. I think the guy who predicted the end of the world will be wrong again it may just end tomorrow because I actually agree with Flaming and I can kind of understand the logic behind that last post. And I never thought I would do this based on other posts but Kudo's

  14. I vehemently disagree with your statemtent!

    EMT-B is the basic foundation of EMS. It teaches the most basic life support techniques and practices. Not understanding HOW and WHY the body works like it does is akin to putting someone to work installing electrical outlets in new houses without any understanding of how electricty works, and the difference between AC and DC currents!

    Granted, as an EMT-B, there isn't a great deal that the EMT can actually do, but it WILL have an impact on WHY we do what we do in the field.

    Not all EMS systems relegate the EMT-B to being a driver who humps the gear for the Paramedic. Some systems will actually dispatch an EMT-B crew for 9-1-1 calls. Since this happens, it's imperative that the EMT-B be given all the tools possible to be able to be in a better position to keep their patient from dying enroute to the hospital.

    Additionally, being educated in Anatomy & Physiology will help the EMT-B better recognize when the patient's needs exceed the EMT-B's ability to manage the patient's illness/injuries; and therefore activate an ALS response sooner.

    Mimi, if I had my way about it, I would require EVERY EMT-B, EMT-I and EMT-P to have an Associates Degree AT MINIMUM, before being able to enter the field of EMS.

    My suggestion to you is to enroll at a reputable college and obtain at least an Associates Degree prior to trying to break into the EMS field. With the explosion of these 'patch mill schools', having an associates degree as an EMT-B will set you apart from the hordes of mediocre providers that these schools traditionally flood the market with! Additionally, having already obtained your Associates Degree will be of invaluable benefit as you move up the 'food chain' to Paramedic. I further reccommend that you not enter the field as an EMT-B in the first place, but hold out until you obtain your Associates Degree in Paramedicine.

    In no way am I bashing EMT-B's, (I was one for 12 years myself), but I also know first hand how limited they truly are! Yes, putting dreams and plans on hold while you get your degree is disappointing and frustrating to say the least, but by doing so; you will be able to provide better care for your patients that call you, which is what we should be doing in the first place!

    With all due respect gramps I did not say I felt it was not useful I stated that it was not neccessary granted I based my opinion off the backwards state of CA where I live but still....I took and I feel like I was a better provider because of it.

    To the OP I do feel like it would be beneficial to you to take said course.

    Based on the observation that there are few places (at least around here) that even offer an Associates Degree in Paramedicine, let alone a Bachelors or higher; one must be pragmatic about what the minimum educational requirements should be.

    Should there be greater educational requirements for entry level EMS? Without a doubt!

    Not only will it make the student more 'marketable', but it will also benefit the patients that the student will encounter and treat.

    I firmly agree that there should be a stricter requirement for paramedics.

    As you will see in some of my other posts on the education horse I am now a firm believer in the degree program thanks to the likes of Dwayne Dustdevil AKFlightmedic, LoneStar and Mike.

    However @Flaming....funny we seem to have locked horns on this topic as well. Anyway one must be very pragmatic about what the education requirements are around the US seeing as I am enrolled in my local community college to get all of my pre reqs however I must transfer somewhere out side of my local area to a place like LA riverside or San Diego in order to get my degree and complete my training.

  15. Ok Flaming for starters there were TWO of us who stated that we would initiate physical violence against those people. And if it came down to it I can think of no better person to have against my back when it came time to start dishing out blows. Dwayne is probably one of the most intelligent people I know on this site. Knowing him through his posts and our conversations he would probably want to react physically but he would find a way to get out of the situation using that intellect. I have learned from much from him including great restraint I can only hope that if the chips were down I could exercise the same restraint.

    Also to Flaming...I feel like your advice is poor not so much in this thread, but in other threads simply because it does not promote the betterment of EMS. In this thread I can neither agree nor disagree with your opinions simply because I have yet to see you set out a truly logical argument.

    EDIT: If only Dwayne could have taught me how to spell better...

  16. While I do not feel that an A&P course is necessary I feel like I would have and most other providers would have benefited from having one under the belt before beginning the EMT course. I don't feel like there is ever anything wrong with taking more courses than required. If it were me I would take it.

    • Like 1
  17. Beautiful! Education is the foundation you build upon. Going back and pouring your foundation after already constructing the home results in, well... trailer trash. So you are absolutely on the right track with your planning. Just focus on having the highest level of EDUCATION, not the highest level of certification. In medicine, there is a big difference between the two. Too much education is never a bad thing. But, too much experience is one of the biggest problems in EMS.

    To the OP listen to this man, he knows what he is talking about. I started my career as a EMT and then as I was starting to think about moving on to become a paramedic I ignored his advice and I attempted a "medic mill" I was doing fairly well until I failed a test and realized that the reason I failed said test is that I was having to study for the next two chapters before I had even finished the first. Medic mills move overly fast and give you the bare basics of information to be a "provider" I feel like I was headed towards being a "cookbook medic". I am now enrolled in a community college and am double majoring in para-medicine and technical theatre. I owe a lot of my career and my knowledge to the likes of Dustdevil Dwayne and Lonestar. I am glad that I have spent the time on this forum and have learned not only from my mistakes but from the mistakes of others.

  18. Kiss your mate in view of my son, (now again, we're still talking about a holiday family/work situation and not a concert or such where a different standard would apply), and I will explain to him about love, relationships and homosexuality. Suck face and grope in front of him to prove that you have the right to do so and I'll punch you in the face for being sexually inappropriate in front of children. Same warning to the hetero couples out there or course.

    Dwayne

    Dwayne its funny that you bring this up. I have seen with my own two eyes a gay couple completely wipe the floor with another gay couple because they were doing this exact suck and grope in front of the their adopted children as well as the children of numerous others at this dinner. No one realized what going on but the two couples walked out after being told to take the argument outside. They did and this location had some french style doors (I guess thats what you would call them) that we could see through and both members of the offended couple just hay maker(ed?) the two offending parties. Now to the OP does that show some sort of bias or does this just show that some members of the Gay community are just rude crude and inappropriate? After having witnessed this I asked the couple would this have been the same result if I had done the same thing with my Girlfriend, they stated "No, we would have only clobbered you, we don't hit women." I can respect that but are you going to try to tell me that the gay couple had a gender discrimination problem?

    Well said again Dwayne, but I have to point out that in my neck of the woods, when the redneck firemen gather at our "state training facility", they often sing (country songs), wear clothing that I would say is inappropriate for a training session (tshirt), and often engage in behaviors I hate like chewing and spitting tobacco into a cup or on the ground. I am starting to see what flaming is trying to say. Imagine a loud redneck in his camo baseball cap, stained t-shirt, worn out blue jeans, and cowboy boots, who is spitting tobacco juice all over the place, and showing off his third grade education through his ignorant speech. Isn't that behavior worse than what you described from the gay guy you encountered ? You have to admit it is similar. And I have been in many a public place where I wanted to suggest that a hetero-couple go get a hotel room, because of the level they are making out at in public.

    While the situation you point out is similar amigo, I ask you is that not considered socially acceptable to most individuals in your area? Just because you don't agree with it doesn't mean that you can force your beliefs on these individuals.

    Now as far as my thoughts on Gay work partners, I have no problem working gay guys/gals. In fact I work with a gay guy right now and he is a blast because he tries so hard from time to time to sound straight. My theory is that if your gay your choice, don't force it on me. A few summers ago I worked on a production at a small theatre in Hollywood that was put on by a FLAMING GAY however I had no problem with it because we respected each other and each other beliefs. I feel that is probably the biggest problem with the world today is a lack of respect for beliefs.

    As mentioned in the other section, I am writing a column for JEMS about discrimination against gays (preferrably men) in our industry. I would really appreciate some of the older gay men in this forum who can contrast the old days versus today to show how much or how little we have progressed. Any private messages will be kept confidential. Thanks in advance.

    You state that you are writing a column for JEMS about discrimination against gays. I am sorry but by your own admission in the post above this article is going to be guilty of what is called reverse discrimination when you state that you want replies from older gay men. Well then that leaves out lesbian women, straight women and straight men. I am sorry but your asking for a non representative sample and I don't care who you are or where your from but that would invalidate any data you might accrue were this to be a scientific study. You are taking a small minority sample out of a large number of subjects.

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