emtpro87

Actually there is a way around that. For my squad it is required to get a back check done with fingerprints at the local PD which i believe they send off to either State PD or FBI, many time they wave the process if you are under the age of 16 ie. cadet or explorer and when i became a full member, after cadetship and probation, they never required me to get background check or fingerprints. It is not required for EMT-b certification by the state, but it might be for high certifications or licenses. Like RNs and LPNs and Paramedics etc.

personally i ll have bottle of OC spray in my back pack during the day but i also have a Kabaton on my keys. OC spray on the back of ambulance doesnt seem like a good idea the whole enclosed space thing doesn't do well Also i practice Aikido as a martial art.

All patient have the right to refuse medical attention regardless of their severity, otherwise its considered kidnapping, assault and battery. the only way around this is with patient who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol ( and this you would require police to take custody) and those who are not oriented X3, juvenile must try attempt of contact a parent or guardian. And if the patient is unconscious and/or unresponsive , which would fall under the implied consent. when they sign a liability waiver (which every patient that goes AMA should sign) it doesn't remove liability of the from emts, but it shows that the patient officially refused medical attention. this goes back to document everything to CYA (cover your a$) Also, remember when informing a patient of potential risk of going AMA, don't leave out info. IE when dealing with a patient with probable spinal compromise , let the patient know on top of the mortality risk , they can also become paralyzed. this reminds me of a story out of the New Jersey shore , a woman dives into shallow water at a sand bar and impacts at the top of her head , she is collared and board by emts and lifegaurd at the scene, the woman begins to refuse medical treatment. During the liability and risk notification of the waiver the emt stated , that the woman could potentially die from a spinal compromise. The woman understood and was released, and as should stood up and walked 10 feet and looked to her side ,instantly collapse and is permantly paralyze. the EMTs re-collared and board her and transport to the hospital. Later on litigation procceedings are brought against the township and the EMTs at the for failure to inform her of the potential of possibility of paralysis , the kicker of this story is that she wins her law suit against the township and the EMTs.. lesson learned is Document everything and inform the patient of all risk especially since everyone nowadays are sue happy.....

on my volunteer squad we have been issued Epi Pens on the rigs , our squads has 3 ambulances each ambulance contains 2 pedatric doses and 2 adult doses. We had to get additional training to better recognize the signs and symptoms of a anaphylaxis reaction, we are only allowed to give a single does of the epidephrine, any addition medication must be give by paramedics or by doctor at the hospitals.. as i understand it the program has been successful reducing deaths from anaphylaxis shock ... i believe its a reasonable solution for situations when medics are not available.