DFIB

Dude, after al the time you have spent Mordor and other less advantaged parts of the world I am surprised that you are surprised. Most companies have a third world version of a good thing that will get the job done only cheaper. Even Ford Motor companies makes models to ship to other countries that don't have the same features as the ones you can buy in the US. I see people watch poor reception TV off a 6 foot dish, on a 13 in TV, while they drink urine temperature Coke and dodge the leaks from their thatched roof. There is always a cheaper model to sell someone.

I don't know a lot about 12 lead machines but know that companies do it with just about everything else.

I bet they used those metal suction cups that leave hickeys all over the patient as well. Then again I might be surprised.

Regardless of policy, he has already resigned. The real issue in court will be if he had the right to say it, and if so, or not so, is the mother entitled to compensation?

I wonder if it will stay in the lower courts and if the ACLU will get involved at some point?

Hmmmm, When your client beat a man to death on camera what do you do??? Blame the Medic, of course.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/05/kelly-thomas-medics-not-cops-to-blame-for-death-defense-says-.html

By what criteria would you determine who the adrenaline junkies are?

Wouldn't we love to know the answer to that question?

Wait, the rest of us were talking about things possible within EMS, what the hell are YOU talking about?? :-)

The majority of the shooting cases that they mention, (the ambulances being shot), I'm not sure why they would be examples of reasons to carry a weapon, but can certainly see why they are examples of not carrying them. Would those crews have been better served to stop and return fire in those situations, or continue on, assholes and elbows, and get out of that situation?

There is not a single service that I've ever been exposed to, nor ever even heard of, where making this a policy accross the board would be realistic. And I'm confident that any service that tries will soon, within weeks, remove it as it will be misused...Craziness.

Plus, what about split priorities? Why are you there? How about public trust? Many are opposed to badges and dark uniforms for this same reason, but guns will somehow be appropriate?

Nah...this isn't going to happen in any way that I can see...and I'm glad for that..

I an going to have to think a little before I make an unclear post worse.

I have no problem with carrying concealed on the job. I think the motivation in the article is screwed. "He said they encounter belligerent and unpredictable people, and police are not always immediately available to subdue or arrest troublemakers."

The job does not entail behavior modification of belligerent or unpredictable people. It does not involve subduing troublemakers which would be police actions. THe purpose of concealed carry, at least on a personal level, is to have the opportunity to safely disengage so that LE can arrive and do their job. Motivation, training, maturity and clear guidelines will be the key for success or failure of this initiative.

If the same people that have privately carried weapons for years begin to carry at work there should be no difference noted. If services begin to arm the "adrenaline junkies" there could be difficulties.

Over all I would love to be able to exercise the same rights on and off duty.

Great scenario Justin!

I know this is a fish story but I was leaning toward a bile duct problem.

You ran the scenario like the pro you are!

Thanks Bro.

Because of the elusive etiology I think I would consider this patient to have a probability of decompensation. It could very possibly be hypovolemic because the bolus of NaCl seemed to help.

Epinephrine perhaps?

Maybe a little atropine?

If this patient has post partum pre-eclampsia wouldn't we expect hypertension as opposed to low blood pressure?

I have driven I-10, I-35, and I-45 at the new 80mph speed limit without incident. Most were driving about 75 -78 mph.

I did see a suburban that rolled in the median south of Dallas on I-45 last month. My wife kept asking "Are you going to stop? Are you going to stop?" Nope.

EDIT: The reckless drivers in the 60mph zone are the ones that are scary. Drivers seem to be more cautious in the 75mph zone.

What and when was her last oral intake?

After you pass an approved training program you have to log on to the NREMT website and set up an account with them.

Follow the instructions.

The computer adapted test is different than the old linear test. In a linear test every person gets the same sampling of questions from a given subject under the assumption that if they know the sampling they know the rest as well. This is the old NREMT testing method even after it was computerized. Well prepared candidates thought it was easy, others thought it has hard.

The NREMT now uses a Computer Adapted Testing combined with the Item Response Theory. This combination test tailor makes a test for each person according to their competency level. Essentially every NREMT test now seems to be the hardest test for every person because the more you know the harder your questions will be until the computer can define your level of competency. Every time the candidate answers a question, the computer re-estimates his or her ability.

The way it works is that the more correct answers you get the harder the questions become until you reach the limit of your knowledge. After that it will give you an easier question and then a harder one at the same competency level, With every additional answer, the ability estimate gets more precise.

Based upon the most recent, revised ability estimate, the computer selects the next item to be presented, such that the candidate will find it challenging. By doing this they challenge each candidate to limit of his/her ability. So everyone thinks the test is difficult.

There is no minimum percentage of questions required to pass of Technically every candidate only gets 50% of the questions right but since each person is tested at a different ability level the computer determines if a person is above or below the passing standard.

When the candidate is unable to pass the exam after three attempts, proof of a 36 hours of remedial training must be presented after which the candidate will be allowed three more opportunities to present the exam. If the candidate still cannot pass he will be required to retake the entire Advanced Medical Technician Course if he still desires to seek National Registry Certification.

I missed this thread somehow. So how much did Dylan raise for the walk?

Welcome to the city!

Good on you for going for the EMT cert. EMS is both rewarding and challenging.

I hope that trauma is not the base motivation for you wanting to be an EMT. That luster wears off very quickly. Trauma is neither all that interesting or challenging after a while. If a complicated medical call is not of your interest you run the risk of becoming disenfranchised and disappointed with EMS.

Are you a dude or a girl? From your thread title I cannot tell. Hombre means man but nueva is a feminine gender word, confusing.

You might have meant hombre nuevo, perhaps?

Hello William,

Good on you for studying to be an EMT!

EMS is one of the quirkiest but coolest subcultures you can find. It is both exciting and rewarding.

Don't be shy because you are just starting. We will be happy to help you along as you go through school. I have found the scenarios to be particularly rewarding in practicing skills and thinking out of the box.

Welcome to the EMTCITY!

Good thing you're not one now, I'm recovering from a trip to the bakery, per se. Is this your response as a former cop, or as an EMT?

Don't care either way. I didn't give any opinion on the dog being shot. I'd love to pop off dogs that run and jump up on me. I hate that. Dogs in public should be leashed, so should some small children.

Is the patient present jaundice?

Did her husband punch her in the stomach?

I am not sure, she does not seem to be hypovolemic but very well could be if the onset is quick. Her mucous membranes are moist and although her BP is tanking her HR is not compensating with tachycardia. I am thinking about unreported domestic abuse, a portal bleed, hepatitis,

Is she still suffering depression? How severe is her depression? Might she have ingested something?

I think I would treat this patient like she were in shock with an acute abdomen of unknown etiology. Increase volume, pain management, priority transport.

EDIT: What do you ALS guys think. Maybe a little epinephrine or vasopressin for this lady. Her BP and HR are my primary concern.

Is she from a third world country or traveled out of the country recently?

Some services already have cameras in the trucks. I rode with a service last summer that has cameras in the patient compartment and the cab. It has a feed into a screen in the cab so the driver can see what is going on in the back. I am not sure but I think it has a live feed back to the base. I believe this because we had a run were things were less than perfect and the supervisors were waiting on us when we arrived with all of the information they wanted to comment on in hand.

I always find it fascinating see third world people living in a world that is infinitely more dangerous than ours. One could think that they have adapted to the hardships and dangers of life without safeguards or lawsuits. What I really think is that our safer world has made us more careless.

Maybe they can work it off working sanitation or something?!? :-)

So I was thinking (meaning I am going to) about buying a subscription and I was looking at the prices.. if I pay the $1.49 will that automatically bill me every month, or what? If so I am probably just going to go with the $14.99 yearly subscription.

Good on you sister for jumping in with both feet. Go for the gusto and spend the big bucks!

Welcome Andrew! Best wishes for your provincial exam! It is always good to have a new military guy around to help keep us honest.

This NREMT International Policy for National EMS Certification link speaks indirectly to your questions and may help.

The project that I'm going to this month was just shut down while an investigation is completed because an expat was attacked by some local nationals.

Did they try to eat him?

Happy Homecoming!

Hello Emily!

It is good to have you here in the forum. You will find that after a while we kinda grow on each other and enjoy our company in the forums.

Welcome!

On days like this I wish I had become a Constitutional Attorney.