tcripp

Failure to read thread.

Did you ever think that maybe I was restating without stating that I was restating?

I have to admit that I accidentally gave a point when I was trying to hit the "reply" button. Maybe I'm not the only one?

So there is recognition of the time change. We'll have to see if my old brain can keep up with it.

Thanks!

**Please move to appropriate forum if necessary***

As I mull around the house setting the clocks ahead one hour...I think about those who worked the overnight shift.

This rookie is interested in how you document your time when on a call that occurs at that magic 0200 hour when the time shifts.

Do you continue your reporting on the time you start? Do you actually try to be cognizant of the time change and report accordingly? Does it really matter?

What about those who sit close to a time zone and may have transports across that zone?

I know that our safety is paramount...but a helment in the back of the box? Not sure how that would work. I've been in the back of the box with 4 people working a code...and the thought of adding in helmets would be comical, something akin to a Three Stooges act.

Auscultating lung sounds, bowel sounds, heart tones and taking blood pressures...how would that work?

I'd have to say that I wouldn't wear it unless required.

Not if they're less than 20 feet away in the other room and it takes a full day for VSU ... I mean working a code etc etc ... EMS doesn't usually go to doors making notification if that's what you thought I meant.

Didn't mean anything by the question. I live in a small town that has a VSU that responds within 30 minutes of dispatch. Now I know for certain that the EMS crew in this area does their own death notification on scene as needed. I was just curious if others would rather have the VSU intervene on their behalf.

I have been with those who have died, including several of my own family members. I haven't, though, been the one to notify a loved one of the death. You posted a good question and I'm trying to get perspective on the subject.

Dwayne - I like your input.

Advising family of a deceased relative is part of what we do. Do you remember the first time you had to speak to a family about this? Would you change any part of your communication if you could?

I'd like to add to your line of questioning. In some areas, a member of the victim services group would provide that information. If given the chance, would you leave it up to the advocate to give the death notification?

This is a rhetorical question in that I'm not posing it to the forum for an answer but rather am just curious on your take or on the policies of your inividual services.

We ALL know that movies are over dramatic - else they wouldn't sell. So, taking this movie and putting it in to a real life scenario...

When you have family in the vicinity of the monitors, how much or how little do you share with the family members? You have someone standing there while running a code; how much do you tell them as you work?

One of my personal associates is Texan, and is, stereotypically, always bragging. He told me that his spread outside of Ammarillo was so big, you had to refill the gas tank on the car twice just to go from one end to the other.

I told him I used to have a gas guzzler car like that, myself.

I showed him Niagara Falls ("Slowly I turned, step by step..".) I told him he probably didn't have anything like that in Texas.

He answered "We don't, but I can recommend a plumber who can fix that in under a day!"

Nice!

I'd be curiou to know what classes your program recommends? What type of program are you in? Is this through a community college, a fast paced program, online? How long is your program?

Hey Toni, Welcome to the City!

But we really do need to do something about all of the Texans sneaking in here. Individually they need constant adult supervision, as a group I'm not sure we're equipped to manage them...

Just sayin'...

Dwayne

Too funny. Individually, I'm sure "us Texans" are always getting in to some type of trouble. As a group, that trouble becomes a party!

I mentioned that I'm a recent graduate. I'd like to add that I now employed at my new level with a 911 service. Probably won't start until the first of the month but am excited at the opportunities ahead. I also just accepted a position as an intern with www.percomonline.com as a EMS Instructor.

I'm jus' gettin' experience all over the place!

Question...is there a way to have the site send me notices when my posts have seen a response? I need prodding some times.

And...does anyone get on chat?

Toni

I just realized that I've posted a few times but I have not taken the time to introduce myself. Please forgive the lack of manners.

My name is Toni and I am a new paramedic out of central Texas. I have been a first responder since 2004, so my experiences that I will draw from include corporate first response, standby at special events and interfacility transfers. In addition to my level, I am also a CPR/BLS instructor with AHA and a Texas Certified EMS Instructor.

On a personal note, I'm 45 and this is a career change for me. I managed/coordinated special events for large corporations in my former life.

I look forward to "meeting" you all and sharing ideas, scenarios and other information. I truly believe that we can only gain so much knowlege from books but can gain so much more from our peers.

Toni

I used www.jblearning.com. I ordered a practice book from Amazon and it included a subsctiption to the online questions. I found it very helpful and am even sure that a couple of the questions were very similar to what I saw on the NR Exam.

Also, in school, we were required to use FISDAP. Not sure I would recommend that one, myself.

Good luck to you.

Toni

Hey, I have a question about body structure when it comes to being an EMT, I am not a really big guy but I am interested in being an EMT, What do I have to be able to do physical wise in order to be an EMT?

Lift, bend, squat, CPR and more...for extended periods of time. Have the ability to work in extreme heat/cold depending on where you work. Have the ability to stand/sit for extended periods of time when staging at an event.

I recommend you look at some of the services where you might want to work and find out what their physical ability/agility tests include. That would be a good start.

Another would be to do a ride out with your local service. You can gain lots of information simply by obversation.

No they did not say out right that I was to old .....BUT the hint was there.... and as one post asked.. I am VERY much able to do the job.

It's my guess that they "posed" the question to see how you would respond...nothing more.

I am 45 and just graduated from Paramedic school and recently had my first EMS interview. The same type of question came up.

You should focus on what you bring to the position by being a little older, wiser and maybe more mature. You should focus on what you've been doing to stay in touch with EMS having not been active for 8 years. Don't let them rattle you.

Outside of interviews, I am asked the question often...by instructors, classmates, peers and...yes...even patients. I once had an 82YOF ask, "...at your age?".

When I was working EMS in Michigan, the EMT-B could not honor a DNR order. For those patients that we encountered with a valid DNR order, we were instructed by protocol to begin resuscitative measures after calling for an ALS unit, (Paramedics were the only ones that were allowed to make that kind of call in the field).

Interesting approach. Was their any reason for this protocol? Was there ever any backlash? Is this a statewide protocol or service specific?

I see one of three scenarios taking place. One would be a distraught family who is trying to convince the BLS team NOT to proceed. Another is the distraught family who's okay with the rescue attempt and is now being told by an ALS unit that the DNR should be honored and then watching efforts cease. Or, worse yet IMHO, the BLS does just enough to bring the patient back to life which is against his/her wishes in the first place.