Oscar

Oscar: OK, my Oops on Bismark versus Fargo as the Capitol.

What I was told, Grand Forks did all that building of the new diking system, which, as you pointed out, is perhaps about to be tested. Fargo, per my brother in Grand Forks, either didn't, or did much less.

Do you live in Grand forks, or at least in North Dakota? You might know, or know of my sister-in-law, who runs the "United Way of Grand Forks ND/East Grand Forks MN, and environs, Inc", or at least that is what I think that local part of the United Way organization is called. Also, you might know of my brother, who is President of the North Dakota Historical Society.

I live west of Grand Forks in a rural area - sorry, I don't believe I know your relatives. The river rise has slowed due to the cold weather, but another winter storm is going thru the area - some areas around Fargo are forecast to get up to a foot of snow (but forecasts are always a little suspect), which isn't needed, but hopefully the river will have receded by the time it melts, so it won't be a major issue. Grand Forks itself is still fine, however, some small towns and farms in the low-lying areas are having problems, tho.

scubamedic stated

Actually, you do. It wasn't that long ago a hurricane came into the DC area, which got the US Army unit at the Tomb of the Unknowns, at Arlington National Cemetery, additional fame, as, when offered the chance to stay in shelter, they proudly declined, and continued the usual honor patrol, even in the extreme weather.

As for tornadoes, why would DC be exempt, the hot air coming from Congress push them away?

New York City suffered damage from one, on August 19, 2007. One doesn't think of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, as being on Hurricane Alley, but we had that tornado, and, while I cannot be as exact as to when, I know of 3 others that hit here, over the years.

Earthquakes? I am sure that there are currently undiscovered fault lines all around the country, and the world. My personal scariest is the one known to lie under the Indian Point Nuclear Power Station, in, I think, Buchanan, NY.

Floods could be from coastal tidal surges, storms overwhelming water drainage systems, or simply a busted pipe. As I write this, the residents of the capitol of North Dakota, in Fargo, are filling sand bags, as they are expecting flood waters from melting snow overfilling the Red River of the North. My brother is in Grand Forks, 70 miles north of Fargo, and I admit I am worried about him and his wife if conditions deteriorate (The Red River is a rarity in the US, as it runs North, into Canada. Most run at some degree of South, East or West into the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, or the Gulf of Mexico).

Actually, Bismarck is the capitol of North Dakota. I just got back from Fargo - spent 3 days there helping with the hospital/nursing home evacuations. The cold weather lately has really helped slow down the melt, which in turn has slowed the rise of the River. Things are mostly holding for now (there was a breech in north Fargo last night), but it's a day-to-day situation.

Grand Forks built an extensive diking system after the 1997 flood and officials believe it should handle this year's runoff, however it will be the first major test of the diking system, so there's still concern. It's still business-as-usual in Grand Forks. I work in Downtown Grand Forks, so really hope there's no problems.

An I-85 class was scheduled locally to begin this month, but it was cancelled due to the transition from EMT-I to EMT-Advanced in 2010 (in our state, anyway). I've been trying to find information on the EMT-Advanced curriculum, but can't find much of anything. The nremt.org website doesn't seem to have anything on it yet. Anyone out there have any good links that would provide information on the EMT-Advanced curriculum, general scope of practice, etc.? Thanks in advance. (I'm not intending to hijack this thread)

I first saw this show while doing my ED clinicals - the medics were variously rolling their eyes or laughing at it. I personally like the excessive use of alliteration to create (or try to create) some drama where little exists. In my opinion, Ski Patrol on TRU TV is even lamer. Their website describes the show as:

"Our cameras follow the men and women of ski patrol who risk their lives in the mountains, fighting avalanches, performing daring rescues and keeping unruly skiers and snowboarders from terrorizing the slopes." :roll: :roll: :roll:

http://www.trutv.com/shows/ski_patrol/index.html

Your friend should be seen by a rheumatologist. If one is not available locally, I would recommend traveling to the closest qualified rheumatologist. There are different types of arthritis and various treatment regimens for each. Given the number of treatment options and new drugs available, it would be difficult for a non-specialist to keep up with these changes and a non-specialist probably does not see that many patients suffering with severe arthritis. I had psoriatic and osteo arthritis for roughly 15 years and took a variety of NSAIDs, DMARDs, gold shots, etc., so I have some background from the patient perspective.

Diet, holistic medications, stress (to mention a few things) can alleviate or aggravate arthritis symptoms, but finding the right combination of things is the trick. It's not unusual for an arthritis patient to try a number of drugs/lifestyle modifications before finding lasting relief and many of these treatments take several months before any results can be determined. Try to keep use of pain meds at a minimum - they really didn't help me at all. I would also second crazycanuck's suggestion to keep active - that is VERY important.

I was fortunate - my psoriatic arthritis seems to have gone into remission since 2004 and I no longer take any prescribed medications for it, so there's always hope. One critical thing is to keep a positive attitude and not dwell on the pain (sometimes easier said than done).

Good luck to your friend!

Do any of the 90% of males who supposedly admit to peeing in the shower on a weekly basis also wash their hair in the toilet ? I guess I'm one of the 10% on this one - I can honestly say NEVER!

I've seen numerous references to new members getting their 3rd post so they can get into the chat room. What's the big deal with the chat room?

I clicked into it once for a minute just to see what it looked like, but don't really understand the fascination with it. Can someone enlighten me?

Our service has recently had a number calls to unresponsive patients in the 250 - 300 lb. weight range in small houses. On 2 recent calls, we were unable to get a cot, spine board, scoop stretcher or stair chair to the patient, due to confined spaces and tight hallways.

In these cases, space was so tight, we had to get the patient to the floor and use a blanket drag to move them to a larger space, where we could get enough hands on the patient to lift them safely.

Has anyone used soft stretchers? If so, are they useful (where their use would not be contraindicated), or do they end up just taking up space somewhere in the back of the rig?

Please let me know any other methods/products you may have used for this type of situation (other than a sheet or blanket or cutting a hole in the wall with a Stihl chainsaw :twisted: ).

Were they coming to the station or something?

I'm not touching that one!!! :twisted:

Candy corn and peanuts. Tastes just like a Payday candy bar.

The Candy corn and peanut mix also is a ringer for the Pearson Salted Nut Roll, basically a larger version of a Payday bar. Not sure if Pearson's is distributed nationally tho. If you get a chance, try their Nut Goodie candy bar too. (yummmmmmm).

Candy corn and peanuts. Tastes just like a Payday candy bar.

The Candy corn and peanut mix also is a ringer for the Pearson Salted Nut Roll, basically a larger version of a Payday bar. Not sure if Pearson's is distributed nationally tho. If you get a chance, try their Nut Goodie candy bar too. (yummmmmmm).

I'm torn on this one. On one hand Checkpoint USA made some good points, however I don't see taking 5 seconds to state your citizenship as an unreasonable search or seizure.

On the third hand, I'm not sure what simply stating your citizenship would prove - anyone can say they're a US citizen if they don't have to provide government-issued identification of some sort.

Also, is this now an instructional video on how to get thru a checkpoint if you're not a US citizen?

I wonder if Checkpoint USA has the same issues with DUI checkpoints? If so, I'd love to see that video.

Sign up for all the ER clinicals and Ambulance ride alongs that you can. Both are great learning experiences.

Take your practical skills and NREMT CBT tests at your earliest opportunity. DON'T WAIT!

Never say you have not had any particular call type in a while, as that will seal your fate that, lo, it will be your very next call!

The "Q word" is so fragile, it shatters just by stating it's name.

NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER Ever say that a shift or tour is too "Q word", for soon it won't be!

For the uninformed, the "Q word" is the opposite of "Loud".

The bosses obviously will not tell you, but there is actually a device, built into your ready rooms, your vehicles, and secretly attached to your belt buckles and pants zipper, that tells the dispatcher you just got food. Dispatchers therefore have to give you an assignment, or the dispatcher gets into trouble for not giving the assignment out.

I'm pretty sure our device is a switch installed under the toilet seat. It's activates a callout after 30 seconds of pressure. :shock:

I've seen numerous references to NREMT-B certification being a 120 hour class. How often does someone pass the NREMT-B written and practical tests with just those 120 hours. I passed the state NREMT-B practicals in March and the NREMT-B CBT in April - here's my hours spent pursuing it:

EMT-Basic class time - 120 hours

Study time in conjunction with class (book learning) - 120 hours

Emergency Department Clinicals - 50 hours

BLS / ALS Ambulance ride alongs - 40 hours

Practicals / NREMT-B CBT preparation - 50 hours

I did sign up for extra clinical and ride along shifts - the bare minimum was 5 patient contacts, which seemed way too light.

As it turned out, the ER clinical time was probably the most valuable time I invested, since I saw patients with a wide variety of illnesses/injuries that could take months or even years to see in the field as I volunteer with a low-volume rural service (No volly flames, please).

I probably estimated low on book learning and test prep times, which does not include time on EMTCity, etc.

Having said this, I have no illusions that this training comes close to NREMT-P training time commitments or skill sets, but I do wonder if people actually get NREMT-B certified and State licensed with just 120 hours of class time.

Feel free to detail your hours spent for whichever NREMT certification you wish.

Wow! You are hardcore!

You took PCP for your own pain management??

Whadda mean - hardcore? The protocol was endorsed by High Times magazine! :wink:

I live in a rural area. If responding from home, I've added the following to my issued jump kit (no I don't have light bars or EMS stickers on the car):

- Mini Mag LED flashlight

- Leatherman-type tool

- Notepad and Pen

- Spare pair of reading glasses

- BLS field guide

If I'm responding from the station, I make sure I've got reading glasses and the radio, everything else should already be on the truck.

Got anything against Ketoralac (toradol)?

At least its something...

I had a kidney stone in 1995 (remember it vividly) :shock:

Looking back, I wonder if the ED folks thought I was a seeker - all I got there was an x-ray (confirming the stone) and saline IV. I didn't receive any pain meds until about 48 hours into my ordeal and that was from my PCP.

Morphine and Demerol had no effect on the pain, other than to knock me out for a few minutes. When I was given Toradol, the relief was immediate and lasted until I passed that little bugger.

In the unfortunate event I were to ever have another kidney stone, I will be yammering for Toradol immediately.

Our class (EMT_ completed the practical exams in March (we all passed!).

Early on, I created my own mnemonics for the Medical and Trauma assessments, to help me remember the steps. I took a classroom CPR dummy home, so I would have something to look at and touch. I also ran thru all the mandatory stations at least once daily and eventually was able to ditch the mnemonics.

This may have been overkill and may or may not work for you, depending on your learning style.

When prepping for the practical exam, we were told that the Random station is almost always Bleeding Control/Shock Management. When the exam began, we were told the Random station was Airway, Oxygen and Ventilation Skills/Upper Airway Adjuncts and Suction (which was probably even easier than the Bleeding Control station). The point is to be ready for any of the Random Skills when you test.

No matter how much you practice, you'll probably be nervous, especially for the first station, so if you can, pick a station that's easy for you as your first test.

Good Luck! You'll do fine!

I took the EMT-B test on Saturday and passed. The test stopped after 73 questions.

Ruffems' post indicating the number of questions is predetermined when the test is launched sounds plausible, but it makes me wonder how adaptive the test could be if you get stopped at 55 questions.

It seems the chance for a statistical anomaly would be greater, especially with a small number of test questions.

I'm sure Pearson's Witch Doctors (err.... Statisticians) have it figured out, but it's beyond me. Just happy I passed!

I did not sign a release. You will here from my lawyer. :twisted:

In America, we HEAR from lawyers :wink:

Mmmmm.... That's okay I guess. Glad to have someone to debate language issues with. Here's my question. At one point does one culture have the duty to adapt to the other? Its funny you mention Canada, and the issue of the French speaking population. It always made me scratch my head how a province that makes up less than a quarter of the population of the country could so drastically influence a country's politics. I mean, imagine if the State of California, which is the closest thing we have to Quebec with a population making of 11% of our total, had enough sway to influence how every single sign, billboard, greeting and label were printed? That would be insane. The rest of the country would just say "Eff you, California, we're dumping you into the ocean" if they tried something like that. Yet Quebec was able to pull it off. 1/4 of the population was accommodated while 3/4 was inconvenienced, not to mention the economic, social, and environmental impact of printing everything in two languages to satisfy a group of people that was well in the minority. That's not good government and its not good democracy, either, IMHO.

At what point does a people's cultural identity have to take second place to society's ability to function? My personal feeling is that if you want to have your own cultural identity so much, go for it. Just don't rely on others when your identity doesn't allow you to function in the modern world.

As an aside, anyone ever notice, generally speaking, the more someone is so worried about their cultural heritage and pride the less likely they are to have to get up to go to work in the morning? And that goes for everyone, including Mary Lou and Boseevus whining about the Confederate flag on the front porch.

I think US policy is regularly and directly influenced by small minorities (excluding Lobbyists and other special interests). A case in point is US policy towards Cuba and Vietnam.

The US has embargoed Cuba for decades following the Cuban Revolution. I know about Castro, Batista, the missile crisis, Bay of Pigs incident, etc.

The US fought a prolonged shooting war in Vietnam with 58,000+ KIA and an unknown (to me anyway) number of casualties and unaccounted for MIAs.

It surprised me when we recently purchased some bedroom furniture (in the US)- stamped on the back was 'Made in Vietnam'.

So why is it that the US has apparently normalized trade relations with Vietnam, but still has the Cuban embargo in place, unless for political pressure from the Cuban exile community (well, and maybe cheap imports)?

I'll be all ears if someone can OBJECTIVELY explain this apparent disparity in US foreign policy.

This is one example and I know there are others, but didn't want to write a book.

As for language usage, I feel that if you choose live in a given country and accept the benefits of living in said country, you should learn said country's language. If you choose to speak your native tongue at home or with friends, that's fine. US emigrees know that English is the quasi-official language before arriving here, so deal with it and take an ESL (English as a Second Language) class.

My wife & I are leaving snowy ND and going to FL in a couple days - I came across this while looking for touristy stuff 8) .

This is a rather long article. I don't know enough to comment on whether the ball was dropped and if so, by whom. Bottom line: The pt. appears to have been very fortunate to have had access to early CPR and defibrillation.

[web:0b28671784]http://thebocanuttelegraph.wordpress.com/2008/03/21/a-terrible-mistake-islanders-life-saved-but-lee-911-comes-under-fire-from-boca-bay/#more-199[/web:0b28671784]

It's hard to pick just one. Song of the day (last 1/2 hour) 'Working Class Hero' (Green Day cover).

Song of previous last couple 1/2 hours: 'Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)' - Neil Young and 'Wild Side' - Motley Crue.

Favorites later today may be something from Koko Taylor or Alan Jackson....

yokel