Anglosaxonboy

Ruffems hits the nail on the head. If the patient needs tubed, then the time it takes to bang it in before loading is negigible. At the back of the wagon would be great in an ideal world, but that isn't always possible. I "served my apprenticeship" in Cape Town, S.A. and the "sandpit," we carried out procedures in some strange places, similar to what ERDoc describes! However, as my Para drummed into me, its not our comfort that is important, its the patients. So he taught me to tube with the patient lateral...I hear gasps, but its not difficult and as we all should be aware, lateral is our friend. How many times have you turned up to a multi-wagon call and you can hear a gargling noise as you are being filled in by the scene coordinator...upon closer inspection, there is some poor soul strapped down to a board, supine and drowning in his own juices! Why can't he be lateral? Grab the edge of the board and make it so, he's happy because now he can breathe! Simple airway management. But you can't transport with a board lateral....heck, yes you can! Try practicing it on your partner when you have some time, and get the dummy out. Start tubing it lateral, you'll be surprised. Forget whether we are "comfortable", its the paying customer who's turning blue and thinking he's not getting good value for money at this precise moment that counts. Regards all, keep the faith!

You should be careful with International qualifications. Research them properly and confirm that they will be recognised here in the US. I have had this issue as mine are UK and South African certifications (with Military and Tac thrown in for good measure). Different countries allow different protocols concerning drugs and procedures. For instance, I am allowed far more scope in South Africa than here or the UK . This is due to the whole EMS settup - there are 3 levels there (basic, intermediate and advanced life support) unlike the usual 2. Intermediates run the ambulance world with a basic onboard, Para's are floating in fast response vehicles, on call to intubate, chest drain, hard core pain relief and sedation etc....all the cool stuff! Anyway, bottom line is make sure you are going to be able to use your certification when you get back WITHOUT having to fork out money to convert them. Regards all.