canuckEMT

Hmmmm I am guessing I am the only one living in a cave and did not hear of this phrase yet????? Thanks Dust.....Now you know " The rest of the story"

Not really Kev, but enlighten me. I was hoping to learn something today........

I am not done the program yet, but in my paramedic program the course entails both, PALS and PEPP.

2005 Chevy Cavalier VS which by the way I am regretting purchasing as it was the reason my student loan was rejected!!!!!!

This is a direct correlation to some other discussions on here about the reputation and professionalism issue. If we are going to be taken as serious medical people then we need to make even recert courses a little tougher to make members and field pratitioners keep up on thier skills. It is too easy right now to know that " hey, recerts are coming up and we get a card just cause we showed up." It should be the same as when you write your state or provincial exams, if you don't know your stuff, you don't pass.

I have a question.....Why are some of you using Bicarb so early in your algorhythm? Is it not, Epi - shock, Amio or vasopressin - shock etc. I was under the impression that Bicarb was a last choice in ACLS resuss just prior to terminating efforts ( if that is in your protocol). I am just learning this right now, and the question is just off the top of my head.

Well I like to hang out with my kids and play on the PS2 or something like that, or go play in the park with 'em. But the one thing that just takes all the stress away is doning my helmet, putting on my boots and other protective gear, throwing a leg over my 2001 Yamaha YZ 426, and jumping a 100 ft tabletop jump and blitzing a set of 3 foot deep whoops..........hahahahaha now that is a stress reliever!!!!!!!! And hopefully not have to call my orthopedic surgeon away from the 9th Tee!!

I like the idea of having standing orders and Medical Direction if it is needed. The training we recieve here i believe prepares us quite well to work in the field as a paramedic and make good sound tx plans. It is also nice to have the resource available in those special cases when you value a second opinion.

I do believe there needs to be a special mandate for EMS workers that are working these 24, 48, 72 hour shifts. Like Rid said, sleep deprivation is just as bad as intoxication. We are an on-call service the same as Angel so sleep is not a problem. The service just to the north of me works 48 on 96 off. during that 48 as long as thier station duties are completed they can nap whenever they like. I am unsure of the labour laws in the US, but I know that there are more and more services that are changing here to a shorter schedule per some of the studies that are circulating around the sleep deprivation issue ( and union contracts). I also have to deal with 4 kids at home. If we ahve a busy night at the end of a tour, i don't have the luxury of sleeping either. I have to tough it ut until it is bed time and then cherish that nights sleep. It was a decision that I made after researching the profession before i entered it. You could also look at a babysitter for at least the morning after your shift. A little nap is better than nothing and would get you through the day if you could afford to go that route.

I would like to know the reason why someone is always doing a study in the ALS vs BLS survival rates on a given situation or Pt presentation. Is there a body out there somewhere that has an axe to grind with Paramedics? All of the studies I have read recently are saying that BLS survival rates are better for this or that, so why then are we training so many paramedics? I believe that to have a successful system we have to combine the two. Sure there are geographical and monitary reasons for different levels of service that are provided across the continent, but that is one of the things that makes EMS interesting. As for the survival rates of the trauma aspect, it is more likely that a BLS unit is going to "scoop and run". I have seen this in my area that sometimes an ALS unit will stay on scene longer than BLS but, yes there are more interventions that they can perform than BLS can. Also we utilize our Air-Medivac here quite frequently in trauma situations. So during the response ALS will remain on scene to stbilize, intubate, decompress if needed before arrival of the chopper. Whereas the BLS unit would load and go and have the chopper respond to the hosp if travel time warranted, and there was no prolonged extrication required. I try to guage my traumas to do my utmost in attaining the golden hour. That way I can feel good that I have given my Pt the best chance at surviving.

In Town call- 5 min max Rural call- 10 to 25 min approx. Transfer to trauma centre 1 hour to 1.25 hours depending on traffic in the city and which member is driving. On a separate note we should have a poll on starting IV's on rural roads and the tricks that are developed in that scenario.......LMAO " Hey BOB, gimme about 30 seconds at the next 4 way stop.! I got a 14 guage ready here!"......

uh huh.....that kind of thing usually doesn't happen to a rookie EMT usually unless there is blood or other bodily fluids in the picture. I also agree some kind of psychogenic reaction.

Well being from north of the 48th and a EMT on the waiting list for P school Ill give 'er a go.......see if my prestudying has had any effect on my retention skills so far......LOL