Thunderchild145

Close. Paroxysmal Nodal Tachycardia. Originating in the AV node. PNT is a type of SVT also. As far as the V-tach. Your right. I was tired when I posted that and had sleep in my eyes. I'll prolly let this debate be carried on by people more skilled than I to do so. =)

I still gotta say those dont look like P waves. PNT or V-tach in the beginning I'd say. Either that or just too much artifact. I still have to go with my A-fib with PVCs in the second rhythm.

Those *might* be P waves. I just keep looking and thinking A-Fib though because it's all over the place. If they are P waves then there is certainly a bit of P/QRS dissassociation in the later rhythem.

I'd say Atrial Fib w/PVCs. The cardio nurse here agrees with me.

A good basic partner can actually do quite a bit for a paramedic. I know I help my partner out on calls all the time. I do participate in patient care and I'm not just a driver. Your assumption that all basics, everwhere, are useless is invalid. Since education varies between states you really can't generalize. There is a national minimum, but some states exceed that quite a bit. Lastly, I know that without EMT-Basics, that reduces the amount of staffed ambulances. So it comes down to would you rather have a ALS/BLS truck in 5-15 minutes, or a 30 minute, 45 minute, 1 hour wait for an ALS/ALS truck? I have to say with the way my partner and I operate, ALS/BLS is pretty good.

Obviously it depends on your protocols, but there are several obvious signs of death, which are A) Rigor Mortis Obvious Mortal Injury (Decapitation, etc.) C) Post-Mortem Dependant Lividity D) Putrefaction/Decomposition If you see any of them, or multiple of them combined, it's pretty safe to say that the pt s dead. There are also a few others like Pulselessness, Apnea, Death of others in the same compartment, that when combined with the above 4 can help in making that kind of call. When in doubt though, attempt resuscitation.

I've used all three, though honestly I cant tell much of a difference. My service uses Berman, but really I think they're about all the same.