NYCntg

Everyone is nuts with this comparing thing, We all do a tough job, that not many can do, much less even imagine and we all work with our own challenges, and I'm not referring to some of our partners... but just as an fyi to 110 degree canyon story, add to that roaches and rats with human waste on the floors while working an arrest by flashlight, and you begin to get an idea of what the projects are like. (not comparing just sharing). Be safe, NYCntg

First, come on, how could anybody think a person would / could carry all that stuff on a belt, our business is all about common sense, use a little. second, I am not Implying we have the best system, the busiest, but not the best, in fact, I'll say it here it ain't even close, and yes we are over worked (and under paid). As far as call volume, using your math, we are still running 4 jobs per shift more (20%), no disrespect, you can't compare to that, and even more why would you want to? It just shows the population you serve, is smarter then the one I do... think about that. As far as this whole belt thing, I was just looking for some good ideas lighting up even more, ever hear of ultralight backpacking, same concept, ounces are pounds at the end of the day. Don't be a hater, very few respect us, or even understand what we do, we should be the last people fighting each other. I mean that. Be safe NYCntg

I am trying to break the cycle here, so I won't make several snide / digs comments that come to mind, so lets all try to keep this professional. First, we must ALL keep in mind that our systems and call volumes are very different, as well as the demographics we serve. So lets try to be a little tolerant, and try not to twist what someone says. In MY CITY, New York City, if you did not carry a: 1) O2 (bag with NRB etc) 2) Drug bag (we keep our tube kit in here) 3) ECG Monitor / Manual defibrillator 4) A device to carry move your patient (stretcher or stair chair) On EVERY JOB, you Would be acting OUTSIDE the Standard of care. "Our service uses the kind of oxygen tanks with the handle built in." We have those too, they break in 10 minutes... relax already on the multi tool for crying out loud, and no our busses are not broken down wreaks, but if its a simple fix, why not do it instead of putting a unit out of service for hours at a shot? have you ever done a carry down (or a 6 story carry for that matter?) better yet, try a 30 story carry in a blackout... :shock: (better bring your flashlight). I'm sorry I find it hard to believe you've never taken a chair with you on a job, maybe its true, but I find it hard to believe. Since I assume you work (or Volunteer?) in a non urban environment, how do you get your patients out from their homes? :? But on the other end, you may find it hard to belive that I have to be in my bus for the entire shift, no station house to hang out at, no bed, engine idling the whole day. This is interesting, NYC EMS takes 3500+ calls system wide PER DAY, or about 1.3 millon calls per year, in any given 40 hour week (5 tours) I do between 20 and 40 ALS calls. What's your system like? :wink:

Thank you. I agree, it's what comes with this job, you can't put a price on having the right tool when you need it. btw, I don't always wear gloves, but always carry them, and also carry skell gloves (I like hatch Street Guards), and my pager, and my flashlight is a streamlight twintask dual halogen / LED mini, oh and a rescue hook (great for the donorcycles leathers :laughing3: )

Your right, I went off on a rant, because it's just seems that most of the folks on these boards just don't get it. For the VAST majority, it's easier to criticize then to be constructive, a wiseass answer does not help, and makes the author look ignorant, not clever. BTW, Yes I choose to "carry all that crap on every call", it's not fear of NOI's, thats the small penalty, it has more to do with this thing they refer to called "Standard Of Care", maybe you've heard of it? :roll: I'm not a skell, as a medic you're expected to bring your tools with you, (it would be nice if the Monitor was lighter), but I'm just looking to do what I can with the things I can change. Thanks for the helpful feedback. PS. it was from one of these boards I got the idea to change to lithium batteries, they not only last a LOT longer, but they knocked about 6 oz's off.

#-o OK Maybe I should have been more specific... I don't ACTUALLY carry all that stuff (monitor, drugs, etc) ON MY belt... but the stuff I do take, I wanted to lighten up a bit without losing the stuff I actually use. (btw I can't stand putting stuff into the BDU pockets, thats just plain dumb {boy I can't wait to see what crap I catch for that comment}. :roll:

Oh where to begin, where to begin, First lets dispense with the hostile put downs keep the batman comments to yourself. This was an honest straight forward question asking about new and better gear. If you can’t carry on a civil discussion, McDonalds has lots of openings, go there and really save some lives. You never show how smart you are by putting someone else down, you just let everyone know how small and petty you are. As for how long I’ve been doing this for, I got my BLS card in 1977, as a medic I’ve been through 38 protocol changes (you do the math). Now for folks that don’t know, In NYC if you don’t carry all “That stuff” with you on every job, and a boss catches you, at best you’ll get an NOI, if patient care was affected, suspended or fired and if you haven’t had a call that was completely different then what was dispatched you haven’t been doing this for long enough. Try running down 5 flights of stairs through two locked gates and back with a monitor and/or your drug bag and tube kit and let me know if the delay adversely affected your patient care. If you’ve never had use for a multi tool you either don’t really work as paid EMS, or work in a very nice well maintained company, and have new or spare busses and equipment on call, in which case I’m jealous and would like to work for your company. I’ve had to fix things from my radio, siren, mirror, lights, down to carry straps on our bags, I think it’s a handy tool to have and always worth it when you need it. The only problem is it chews up the valve on the O2 tank, and leaving the O2 wrench in the bag doesn’t work either, because if it grows legs, or if you change bags to one without one, your SOL when you need it most. I work in NYC, and everyone I know carries one AND a most add a separate knife (I don’t, the one on the multi tool is enough for me). As for the gloves, I just don’t get why in this day and age, some people think they don’t need gloves, or worse just throw a few pairs in their pockets and think that’s OK. IF you don’t carry gloves in a proper holder, you might as well not wear any at all. The microorganisms that cause Hep A/B/C, MRSA and a host of other disease are just that, MICRO-ORGANISMS, as in micro, as in the holes that improperly stored (carried) gloves get. You wouldn’t think of bandaging a bloody head wound bare handed, why would you do it in gloves that came from a pocket? As I previously said, I work in a system that does not avail itself to always having my bus nearby, (the comment about the lights on the bus was funny) so you have to carry a lot of tools with you, we do have flash lights in our busses, but if you’ve ever had to go back and get it, then please keep in mind we don’t have that luxury. As I said, I don’t carry a window punch, I think the surest sign that you DO have too much crap on your belt is if you do carry one. I also know I don’t get to read and see all of the cool new stuff people come across, all I was asking was if anyone in this forum had. (sorry if I ruffled a few feathers with my reply, be nice and you’ll get nice). Thanks and be safe. NYC MEDIC :wink:

OK, I carry enough stuff, Monitor, O2 bag, drug bag, and chair, radio, flash light (have switched to lithium batteries) , sheers, knife / multi tool, metal O2 wrench (plastic just sucks), keys, glove case, phone… forget a window punch, the very few times I need one, the edge of my multi tool works great. Ounces are pounds… at the end of the day I feel like rocks are tied to me. Any ideas on going lighter (and no donut jokes please) I'm serious, anybody see anything new and good out there? Thanks. NYMEDIC :?