emsgirl911

Thanks for the input. Im having issues seeing the positive in a lot of things lately ... And yeah, negativity towards work happens... a lot. I know. No offense meant by the use of the term "old timers" ... as a result of exhaustion I seemingly lack the ability to choose my words. Mobey: Yeah, I hear ya... even at my part time job now, that is 80% of lunchroom conversation. It does nothing to make your outlook towards your job any better, but having someone to bitch about it to is kinda nice... Happiness: Im hoping to go to college for EMS Management. I can get my medic at the same time as part of the program along with a few extras like BLS Instructor. People who go through this program could probably work for FEMA or in some other position for "the man." But despite this I am continuing to get slammed for wanting to be part of the EMS system at all. And yes, the bad days will come. Ive already had a really suckish day out on the rig. I had my first patient die in my bus a few weeks ago. Was I traumatized by it at all? No. But that doesnt mean it didnt kinda suck. And I agree, the media is HORRIBLE for creating impressions about EMS... take that indescribably awful NBC show Trauma. Nuff said. NYCEMS9115: To hear stories like yours are a welcome relief from what the educational system of this country beats into you. Supposedly, if you drop out of high school or dont finish for some other reason, youre pretty much effed for life, whether you get a GED or not. I also got involved in the system by peer pressure (and Im glad I did.) I have a friend who recently moved back to "Canada" as his FDNY friends call our area (because afterall, we do almost live in Canada up here) and from what he tells me, 911 over in the NYC is a fairly hard job to land. So thats awesome Good luck with your BSN. Stay safe out there -emsgirl911

To start off, yes, I really enjoy my involvement in the EMS system. Yes, I plan on going to go to college for an EMS career in spite of what I am about to say, and yes, I am aware that life may be hard as a result of working EMS. However, it seems that people who have been in the system for a while really like to complain about the hardships of the EMS lifestyle (but thats not to say there arent any seasoned people who dont like to encourage the younger generations of EMS to do well and what not.) Because of this, I am NOT looking forward to what is the potential rest of my life. When I read a thread that asks for guidance or advice by way of joining EMS, I more often than not find at least two or three "old timers" are arguing about how rewarding EMS is or how much it sucks and why people my age shouldnt set their sights low. Sure, burnout is bound to happen - honestly I myself am in a state of burnout with my job right now. Financial difficulties will also eventually happen, and most of us will end up working crazily huge amounts of hours in a week because of that. I also know about other common complaints about the job that Im not going to bother listing because we all know them. Is EMS going to do this to all of us? I hope not, because thats not the kind of person I want to become. I dont want my job to turn me into a total killjoy for those who actually are hopeful to "make it" in this field. And no, EMS is not about being a hero in any way. Even though Im still considered an EMS hopeful, that doesnt mean I have all of those wackerish misconceptions. No matter what people tell me, I will more than likely stand by my decision to stay in EMS (that will only be changed by the coming of the zombie apocalypse or other event similar in nature) I guess what Im saying is that this is what I really want to do, and Ive heard the all too common arguments about the subject, and therefore do not want all responses to be those same arguments. And I dont want to be "that person" What I am writing may not make much sense, as I am writing out of pure frustration. Thanks in advance for listening to my ramble... Stay safe -emsgirl911

I am painfully limited on time at the moment, and therefore have not had the opportunity to read other posts in this thread. So bear with me if I end up repeating things that have already been said. Anyway, I completely understand the situation youre in, because I have been (and still somewhat am) there. I am turning 17 in a few months, and while I still have time to reconsider my decision, I really want to stick with EMS as a career choice. One of the only things that led me to make this choice was my participation in an explorers post and an apprenticeship program. It made me see the whole picture of what EMS is, and made me consider whether or not I could see myself doing this type of job for the majority of my working life. My best advice would be to try a few shifts as a ride along, and then reevaluate your thoughts about the field. Though my expectations turned out not to be too far a shot from the reality of EMS, I can honestly say that the first-hand experience helps. More importantly, trying it out helps you make your own decision, because if I hadnt started riding third, I probably would have taken people's horror stories about the business to heart... and people are still trying to talk me out of it after about two and a half years of participation in the program. Sure, EMS is definitely not a glamor job, but Im happy with it. Also, if you do well as a ride along, you might get brownie points/leg up/call it what you will - when it comes to getting an actual job in the system (I did. When Im 18 I am officially property of my local service, Ive been told ) Best of luck to you! Stay safe -emsgirl911

I have actually seen an improvised splint for a femur fx. However, this would only work in a camp setting rather than a hiking one. I saw a demonstration of it maybe three or four years ago - how exactly it was done I cant remember (because at that time I had no interest in EMS... now Im kicking myself in the "ash" for not paying attention as much as I should have.) What I do recall about it was that it works like a sager, more or less. Anyhow, its made with a regular old angle broom and a few shirts or whatever else you so choose as straps. Only downfall of this is that said broom needs to have a hole in the end - intended by the manufacturer to be used for hanging it, intended by us to be used in rigging an ankle hitch. Not an incredibly helpful description, but food for thought, nonetheless. Stay safe -emsgirl911

Well, its basically a step in between basic first aid and first responder. Applicants for an apprentice license have to be at least 14 years old, and Healthcare provider CPR certified. Explorers and/or apprentices at my service are also required to be trained in vital signs, C - spine precautions, use of transport equipment, and BSI precautions before they can do any ride time. Whether everything besides CPR and age requirement are state regulations, I cant remember. We can also do O2 administration, splinting - the easy stuff. What is great about the program is that there arent really any losses if someone decides they dont like it all that much, because it doesnt cost anything for licensure. It is also a great opportunity to get firsthand experience, that way you dont jump right into basic, only to realize that you put all that money into something that you arent going to enjoy. A few people have moved through my post and discovered that EMS isnt at all what they thought it was. Also, the hands-on learning that comes from being an apprentice is WAY better than anything that youre ever going to see in class, because you can run through all the scenarios you want, but without actually using the skills on a real call, you just dont remember it the same way (if youre high school aged, anyways ) Take care and stay safe -emsgirl911 *edited for stupid errors made on part of my stupid computer - emsgirl911

Everyone at my service boards a pt. a little differently, but all methods accomplish the same task. We all use plastic boards with pins, quick-clips, and coated foam head blocks. The way that I like to board someone assuming they have no additional injury (hip fx, shoulder dislocation, etc.) is to cross two straps over the chest (like an "X" as someone mentioned earlier), put one across the hips, and one across the lower legs. However, I have recently learned a new strapping technique specifically for carrying down the stairs/inclines and what not. Not many people I talk with seem to know about it, so I figured I'd share. This method uses five sets of quick-clips along with the C- spine/head stuff -As far as C - spine/head blocks and what not goes, its the same as usual. -Cross two straps over the chest (X) -Put one set of quick-clips on a single pin, on each side of the hip line. make sure the "button" part of the buckle is on the outermost side of the pin. Take the "clip" part and pass it through the void behind the knee. Snug it up to your pt.'s crotch, buckle, tighten, all that stuff. Same for the other side. -Last clip goes across pt.'s lower legs. Ta Da! The whole purpose of this particular technique is to keep your pt. situated on the board the way you put them there. We put another student on the board the "regular" way, and carried him down the stairs. By the time we got to the last step, he'd moved down about 4 or 5 inches. He also said he "felt" it in his head when we asked him - obviously because thats going to be the only part that isnt going anywhere using the "regular" method. When you use the "going down stairs" (or the parachute method, as we call it at my service) the pt. wont move. If they do, it will be minimal. VERY minimal (we did the same test for this method.) We came up with this by applying the same concept of a rock climbing harness. Sounds dumb, but it works, and in the end, its more comfortable for the pt. Now that Im done ranting like an idiot, Im going to call it good and leave it at that. Take care and stay safe -emsgirl911

Just found your topic... but by now you probably already have what youre looking for. Anyways, heres a link for you.... http://www.cafepress...dic_t,228204511 Take care and stay safe -emsgirl911

Hello- Even though Ive been a member of "the city" for a while, im finally getting off my cheeks and introducing myself. Dont exactly know what to say, so ill wing it... I live in the middle of nowhere aka northern New Hampshire. Ive been an EMS apprentice for about 2.5 years now and I LOVE IT! I do about 36 hours of ride time a month with my city's private (and only) service - my area is considered "super rural". I also have taken a first responder course, though I cant really "use it" because I am under the required age to be licensed in EMS above the apprentice level. However, I find the knowledge helpful to my ride time/understanding whats going on for pt. care. I love learning new things about the business, and I am finding EMT City to be a very helpful resource (plus, everyone seems awesome!) Im looking into EMS management/Paramedic as a career. Hopefully later this winter I will be starting EMT - Basic class... CANT WAIT! Thanks for taking the time to read my "newbie" stuff. Take care -emsgirl911

-This is how I roll (has picture of an ambulance) -I drive the short bus (has picture of cartoon ambulance) -Im not mean, you're just a sissy! -Never do anything that you're not willing to explain to the paramedics -Official S**T magnet -Rule No. 36: if it weren't for stupid people, we wouldn't have a job -The world is going to hell...and im driving the bus! (also features picture of an ambulance) ... I'm going to stop now, because if I don't, I'll be here all day. Enjoy.

This is my first forum post, if thats what you mean. I am a 15 (almost 16) year old EMS Explorer with my local base. I have been involved for approximately one calendar year and I am the president of my post. I am a registered EMS apprentice with the state. Members of our post can sign up for ride time (which is limited availibility so as not to interfere with school) and participate in the calls at the discretion of the crew. We hold meetings once a week. These are both training type and business type meetings. We also have guest speakers like doctors, dispatchers, RNs, etc. who basically tell us about their experiences and nature of their positions. The majority of our post has recieved First Responder training and are awaiting the last exam. It's nice to know that there are explorers out there who are interested in the activities of other posts. If there is any other aspect of my post you want to know about drop me some lines