reaper

As has been said, some people like to lurk. There also ones that will post a comment to every post, even if it has no meaning. ED hit it on the head with her comment on post numbers. I see people that have 200-500 posts in a few months of being here. That is a lot of responses and makes you wonder?

First find family or neighbor that knows the equipment. They are the best ones to figure out how to free the pt. They will know how he is pinned and the best way to get him out.

Keep pt perfusing, try to keep him awake and try to keep bleeding controlled. Be aware of compartment syndrome since he has been trapped for a prolonged amount of time. Keep MC updated on the situation. Think about pain management for the pt!

This is exactly why NR should not allow "grandfather clauses"! If a state wants to use NR, then all EMS personnel in the state should be required to take their cert exam, to renew.

You can have a 20 year medic that has been doing everything wrong for 20 years, with no knowledge of the correct way to do things. Why should they be allowed to continue this way?

If states are changing to NR to have a standardized testing, then all should meet those standards!

Oh, and yes, I had to retake NR after 10 years, since I had let it expire. I actually took it twice, because they lost my first results. I passed it both times on the first try. It is not that difficult of a test, mostly common sense!

I think this is a decision that can only be made at the time.

Would I do this? Probably, if the MD was backing me and I thought that the fetus could be saved.

Some of the excuses being used, don't hold water for me.

1. "If I do this I will lose my cert!"

If I have made the decision to go ahead with this, I would not be worried about my cert. If I lose it, then I would find another line of work. At least I know I could live with the decision I made.

2. "What about all the future Pt's you can't help, if you lose your cert!"

I never worry about future Pt's, I worry about the one in front of me! Do you honestly think if I don't show up tomorrow, that there is Pts not getting care because of it? If I am not there, the next medic in line will cover those pts.

These as just my opinions on this scenario and how I would justify my decision, to myself and my family!

But then who would save the medics?

The Medic sitting next to them! :wink:

I would request him as a partner, just to make his life a living hell! :twisted:

But, there are lots of counties in this country! So that is still a personal preference. :wink:

Amen! Lets leave the hearse in the garage!

Thats only erffective when your company will listen to you. Most where I work would say something like..."Too bad. You're on a call."

I would hope that you would realize this, before going on a call.

The biggest difference is how you let your service treat you! If I am to exhausted or too sick to work, then I will pull myself off the street. Supervisors do not have a say in it. I have no problem walking out the door, I can find another job! The only time I wait is if I am in the middle of a call. As soon as it is over, I go out of service.

There is a demand out there for personnel. I can go any where and get a job. I do not let a service dictate my Pt's or my own safety.

You screw up on a call because you are tired, it is your arse on the line. You will lose your license and a lot more. I take my safety and my certs, seriously. I would hope others do to! :wink:

Try it working 36hrs without sleep! :wink:

I think some can handle it and some can't. I would say it is up to you as a provider to know when you have reached the point of exhaustion and speak up about it.

If you knowingly provide substandard care, when you know that you are beyond a point of being totally exhausted. Then you should take some of the blame for the outcome.

A lot of states that I have worked, put a 36hr cap on continuous hrs worked.

What do you think of it? Did you get it stocked or empty?

I usually carry some stuff on a duty belt but our rescue turnouts negate that. I could clip one of these pouches onto the nylon belt of my turnout pants and at least have some basic stuff with me.

I got it empty and stocked it myself. Like I said, I use it for high angle work, since that will keep it off my back.

I think it would get in the way to much, for everyday use. You can try it and see how it works for you.

As far as the product, they are great. NARescue makes top quality products.

Lots of water?

I use the NArescue pak, but only during high angle rescues.

I don't think I would ever use it on the streets.

Because on the East Coast we do it all, without the need of 10 engines showing up!

North American Rescue Products Hasty Harness. Used properly, you have multiple purchases for providers to grab, and can use it for a variety of applications. Costs very little in terms of weight and cube.

http://www.narescue.com/Hasty-Harness-P147C140.aspx

'zilla

Doc,

I live right down the road from that company. They have some great products and do a lot of ERT and SWAT training at their facility. Nice group of people!

We carry Shamu blankets on most trucks. Use them a lot in smaller houses or trailers.

Don't carry it anymore!

Only used twice in last 20 years and both times were a fight to get done.

My ex worked as a lactate consultant on the side of doing ICU. Most women do not realize how important breastfeeding is to a baby.

Most nowadays don't breastfeed out of pure laziness and nothing else. There are very few women that cannot actually do it, due to medical reasons

Formula is just easier to grab and shove in! Wonder why we have so many obese kids in this country?? :roll:

R/R hit it directly on the head with that post!

I treat all my pt's the same,whether they are frequent fliers or new Pt's. They all get the same compassion and care.

Just because your service is set up to hinder your advancement in the field, does not mean everyones is set up that way.

I work with EMT partners a lot and they are as much a part of the pt care as I am. Until they need to drive us in, they help with all aspects of the evaluation and treatment.

I will tell you. You are 22 years old and most likely do not have much experience outside of your area. EMS in other parts of the country does work, the way it should and lets their EMT's and Medic's treat pt's with compassion. if you push away all the non emergent Pt's, how long do you think you will have a job. If you call volume drops by 40%, your service will cut it's staff by 40%.

People are trying to get you to realize that what you were taught, is not how EMS is really done. It is up to you to choose to listen or not!

You got to love Arcibold! I always loved going there. :shock:

This is a problem that the parents must deal with! I take my kids to the library once a week. They will each come home will at least 10 books. I have always been a big reader, so that rubs off on the children.

If I forget about going, my kids will come to me and ask to go. That makes me smile inside!

The biggest problem with the children today, is the parents not caring or taking an active role in your child's education experience. Do not blame the school systems. They are overworked and underpaid. Their hands are tied on how they can teach. They can only do so much, with the kids they have. If parents do not want to make sure their kids are educated, then they can only lay the blame on themselves.

So everyone out there that has kids, take an hour and take your kids to the library. It's free and you will introduce your kids to a whole new world of adventure.

UMMMM. Perhaps you need to look at updating yourself. Coma cocktails are on the out, at least in the field.

I was thinking the same thing. I haven't used a coma cocktail in years.

Remember Doc asked for no EMS vs Fire. Thanks. Play nice.

This was not an EMS vs FIRE thing. EMS can do the rescue, then FD does not need to show up at all. That keeps everyone happy, until election time!

If I was the EMS dept. I would find the funds to buy and stock 2 brush trucks. Train people in extrication and do my own rescue on scenes. Then tell the FD they are not allowed on scenes, unless it is a fully involved car fire.

Once the tax payers see that they are paying for a big FD, that does nothing. I could see the layoffs and cutbacks coming quick!

I second Spenac's post. Some of the best partners I have had, Have been women. I think to much testosterone in an ambulance is a bad thing!

The only time I had a problem with lifting was when my partner was pregnant. I was the one that would not let her lift heavy loads. But, in an emergency, she was always there to cover my back and help out.

I don't think there is as much of a sexist problem in EMS. FD's on the other hand, that is a whole different ball game!