P_Instructor

Don't do it in/on the streets....do it in the station. Fondly remember the time my partner and I strung about 30 feet of IV tubing through the rafters into the other crews sleeping quarters. This of course was connected in one of our rooms with self (by us) pressurized saline in 150cc syringe. We did 'Y' the connection so both of the others would benefit from a shower. But......prior to the dousing, we had to remove some of the slats from their beds, so when they came in and crawed into their respective beds, COLLAPSE, and the cursing began. Hilarious. We waited until they settled down (after fixing their beds), started the Z's, and then started the shower (of course we strategically placed the tips of the tubing just through the ceiling so they could not see it, and it was positioned right over the beds). Oh yeah.....a whole lot more verbage.......

Scene safety and your own well-being buddy.........................

Getting my arse kicked evaluating Basic and Paramedic classes, working the streets, and coaching at the State Track Meet.

Hey boys and girls........Yeah, the date is over, however I am still ALWAYS looking for interesting scenarios that I may be able to use directly or after slight alterations. The trouble is, I think of them and never write them down. Shooting from the hip is getting harder at my age. You know us old paramedics, it's called...............aah, what's it called again?????

Great gosh and gee 'Dust-man', I never thought you would be stifled! 'KA-POW', 'CRUNCH', 'BONK', FAIL to them!

Here is another story from area newspaper: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100514/NEWS/5140351/1001/-Hospital-Hero-dies-as-semi-ambulance-hit I am only replying to this post as it involves people relatively close to my area. It's a shame that this happens quite often. I agree, what is the reason to pass on the right? Another thing is why is he following the semi so close that the semi cannot see the ambulance in his mirrors until the last moment. A lot of things to discuss, especially not wearing seatbelts in the back. I don't care if you working on a patient or not, they need to be worn. I wonder if the cot in back had the shoulder harness system so in a collision of this type, the patient would not end up missle-ing to the front. This is one reason we are incorporating all students to go through the driver simulator (a complete ambulance version) with various types of driving condition scenarios, to hopefully see that you have a much greater responsibility. Sorry, I will stop rambling...................

It is usually your responsiblity to keep track of your continuing education hours and where they would apply.....unless you can find some sap to do it for you. Make sure that all the states accept the con-ed based upon their requirements. When in doubt, ask the various state EMS agencies to see what their recommendations would be.

Quite. However, the baking is like a sauna here. Usual summer is 100 degrees with above 70% humidity, with the winters around 10-15 degrees. Not much of a spread in temperature. It's really the humidity that kills ya or your patients. Don't you just love those respiratory calls.

Wow, I used to live in Alfred Cove as a lad (years and years ago), and wanted to come back and visit the area. With that info, I think you just lost a tourist.

We used to carry the Valium, but found that Versed was much more universal in the pre-hospital setting. From what I know, is more readily absorbed than Valium. I can honestly say, never have given it rectally. Sounds as bad as giving D50 rectally.......creates brown sugar cubes!

Why are they wasting time trying to start an IV when this may have been controlled by administering the Versed IM?

I guess I am an old timer. The nasal is an alternative skill prior to the RSI when clenched teeth will hinder the passing of the tube. It is relatively easy after adequate training. I would have your instructors show you how just to have another means to your disposal in airway management. Oral, Nasal, RSI, Cric,......always be prepared for the circumstances you encounter.

Aah.....slow shift, huh!

Good link.................

What an idiot. Maybe he was really looking at the 'water' stream instead.

More stuff being blown out of proportion......Keep the kid calmed down and get his mind off what is going on. If it didn't affect patient care, let it go. This may lead the child into a future career as a public servant. If you can't have a little fun on the job, your longevity will be decreased in my opinion.

Nice!!

We currently carry helmets in all the rigs to be used for confined space, MVC's, etc. Community aspect as no one has there own unless purchased by selfs. This is company policy to wear in these type of situations.

Check to see if by opening the 'box' there is an alarm activated so that 'trained' responders will go to the scene of the event. If not, this could be another way to make sure trained personnel are on scene. Most AEDs are 'follow the directions', but if not trained, things still may be messed up. Either way, something is being done for the patient.

Ruff is correct with his ahhh - assessment of the situation. All I can add is even though the assessment criteria are the same, the advance perspective of assessment also incorporates a deep understanding of what is happening pathophyiologically with the assessment findings. Think of it this way: Basic understand the body and systems. Intermediates (some) understand the body and systems down to the tissue levels. The Medics understand all this but down to the cellular level. All it is, is an understanding of what is going on based upon the assessment taken, which is the same. This is only a wide observation in my opinion, and others may disagree and probably will.

To clarify further as I instruct both types of courses, students in the advanced EMS classes tend to do better in the classroom style as compared to the hybrid format. The hybrid must utilize many hours of laboratory/class instruction for the student to fully comprehend and display psychomotor skill competency. In the classroom style, all aspects of the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains can be presented together. I will agree with you as it can be best described as stated by authors Russell L. Ackoff and Daniel Greenberg In their book, Turning Learning Right Side Up: Putting Education Back on Track: 'There are many different ways of learning; teaching is only one of them. We learn a great deal on our own, in independent study or play. We learn a great deal interacting with others informally -- sharing what we are learning with others and vice versa. We learn a great deal by doing, through trial and error. Long before there were schools as we know them, there was apprenticeship -- learning how to do something by trying it under the guidance of one who knows how. For example, one can learn more architecture by having to design and build one's own house than by taking any number of courses on the subject. When physicians are asked whether they leaned more in classes or during their internship, without exception they answer, "Internship." In the educational process, students should be offered a wide variety of ways to learn, among which they could choose or with which they could experiment. They do not have to learn different things the same way.'

Agreed to the max!

Since most states have different criteria concerning age stipulations in EMS, begin by looking for other programs as listed in prior posts. Another idea is to see if there are any agencies that have explorer programs (EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement, etc.). If not, find someone that may be willing to initiate one.

Hey, we have Pit Bull problems here.......you think we should get one for each of the rigs?