maverick56

You did notice this thread is about 3yrs old, right?

We got ImageTrend a few months ago and it's pretty universally hated. Although a step up from hand-written reports in the sense of being able to look back and such, it is very slow. Like said above, minimum 45min to go through everything and that's a routine call in which you didn't do much. It's very easy to miss something, you very often have to go back, the layout is terrible, the list of procedures and diagnoses sucks. Basically, it leaves a lot to be desired, but most of Michigan is on it. When we log-on, it's through the state site.

Is the job as an actual patroller or would you just be based at the bottom at an aid station? I was a volunteer patroller for a few years in college and it was a blast. I also have many many years experience working for various resorts of all sizes as a snowboard instructor. There are some important skills you'll have to learn to be a patroller as far as manning a toboggan, orienteering and extrication. How in depth that training goes depends on the terrain at your resort. You'll also need to become an expert in cold-weather injury/illness and, if you're high enough, altitude sickness. And be aware that doing all this on a snowboard comes with it's own challenges - it's not at all impossible, but you need to be a very strong, confident rider. Intermediate weekend shredders need not apply. Just being upfront with you. Any questions you have specifically about working a resort?

I was a freshman in college, a PVT just out of basic and a new ROTC cadet. I'd been up for a few hours already for PT and work and was heading to my first class of the day. When I walked into the mechanical engineering building there was a crowd in the lobby massing under the tv's that usually had announcements and campus bookstore ads on them. Took me a minute to gather what was going on, everyone was silent and in shock. Not really sure what my first thought was, other than "is this real?" Then it seemed like everyone was looking at me (I was in uniform) expecting... something. I remember it taking forever to be able to call home because the campus phone system was overloaded. My mom was really freaked out, even more so because I was new to the Army and she wasn't thrilled with the idea and I was far from home. We were on high alert for a couple weeks after that with contingency plans for multiple attacks on the school. At the time, my school had multiple classified government/DoD research projects on campus and we were a legitimate target for the region. Also the town is the main shipping thoroughfare for the western Great Lakes, so we had to coordinate with the Coast Guard. It was intense and surreal. None of us knew what to expect and there was already talk of possibly being mobilized. That was terrifying at 18 and green as can be. And I was still expected to attend classes and do my homework as normal - surreal. As for what I thought it meant, I knew we were at war. I knew I would be doing something and my life would change forever, it was just a matter of when and where. I was in Iraq 3yrs later.

If I were you, I'd be looking for PCS opportunities vs. reclassing at this stage. I spent almost 7yrs as a 68W and am now in paramedic school. Though my experience is definitely helpful, it's more in the way of confidence, critical thinking skills, situational awareness and handling pressure than medical expertise. I've had a LOT to learn when it comes to civilian medical practice. I could see if you were to be assigned to a medical unit in a clinical setting where you might get a little more paramedic-prep knowledge, but as a field medic... I know trauma, I know mass cas, I know oh-shit situations and I know basic preventatives. This hasn't given me any advantage over my classmates when it comes to working an MI, dealing with diabetics or handling psych patients - the bread and butter of civilian EMS. I have skills - IV, IO, intubation - but those are just hand-eye things that are easy to learn. The real academic stuff that truly makes a paramedic, the Army didn't give me because it wasn't my mission. Now I'm not saying to not reclass. If you are truly interested in medicine, particularly military medicine, and you want to stay in the Army, go for it. It can be a very rewarding MOS. But as Doczilla said, you can end up in a fubar'd unit as a medic just as easily as any other MOS. I spent a few months with a TC unit and was nothing more than a glorified copy bitch, even though I was an experienced team leader at the time. I lucked out and most of my time in the Army, I loved my unit. I was attached to an infantry unit and loved my job. But they trusted me and my abilities, that's what made it great. Not every medic who came to us faired as well - they didn't make the cut so to speak. What it all comes down to is unit dynamics, from leadership to interpersonal - MOS has nothing to do with it. If all you are looking for is a way out of an f'ed up company, start pushing for a transfer. The mentality and basic leadership and soldiering skills that you have and will gain while serving will serve you well as a paramedic, regardless of MOS. And like chbare said, you can always start preparing yourself now education-wise. Good luck! If I can help with anything else, feel free to send me a PM.

Just something to note, remember that a "dirty bomb" is more about mass panic than true nuclear power. They're true design is as a psychological weapon - mention the word nuclear in a highly populated area and pandemonium ensues. Resources are stretched to the max immediately, major thoroughfares become congested, infrastructure starts to fail. That's the true weapon. That's not say that they are not dangerous, but the real danger, particularly to responders, is in the initial explosion. The nuclear products contained in a dirty bomb is going to be obtained from sources like confiscated nuclear waste products or medical labs and lack the radiation strength to have a large fallout area or have many immediate effects on people. That doesn't make radiation of any type less scary, but just realize that there is a BIG difference between a dirty briefcase bomb and military-grade weapon. *edited for clarity

Have you heard about the recent pavement painting snafu in NC? Cringe-inducing typo outside NC school