DFIB

Here is another book I enjoyed. http://www.amazon.com/Paramedics-Story-Death-Everything-Between/dp/1607146576/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356541682&sr=1-1&keywords=kelly+grayson

Okay, I think we're getting screwed around with here. Either you were there or you weren't. You can't be sure it was VFib unless you saw it, but you claim you weren't there to see it.

You're not the real Santa! You are that old guy that sits on the corner with a bottle all day! Bad Santa!

I don't buy into the adage that "EMT's save medics" or any of that bull. I am happy to carry my Medic's bags and learn all I can in the process. I do believe that each member of the team is exactly that, a member of the team. As such I say what I am thinking because I am very aware that everyone misses things, gets distracted, and has a bad night. Even medics.

I don't have any problem with contributing to our patient having the best outcome possible. This is usually not a problem with my partner because I try to turn everything into a teaching/learning moment. If I am wrong in my contribution I learn from it. If I am wright well...you get the picture. Only once have I kept my mouth shut when I should have spoken. I lived to regret it.

EDIT: This story is not very exciting but was unique enough to where I remember it. At the time I thought it was hilarious It is probably one of those "You would have to be there" stories.

One time we were transporting a term pregnant woman with pre-eclampsia on a transfer. She had a mag sulfate drip and after a 45 transport her BP was down about 20 mmHg and the hospitals did not want to take her because she was an out of state transfer (the joy of socialized healthcare systems).

Each hospital would check her, declare she was stable for transport and have us take her away. We are on approach to the last hospital, which is a nightmare, almost entirely run by med students, and always backed up. The advantage is that they will take anyone. I tell the patient that when Dooguie Houser comes out to see her and ask if she has a headache, ringing in her ears, swelling in her extremities or sees spots in her field of vision she should answer yes.

We wait in the hall for about 40 minutes and I finally grab a guy in a lab coat that looks like he is 12 and ask him to check out our patient so we can go back into service.

The Med student walks up to the lady an says, "Pre-eclampsia eh, do you have a headache" The patient answers "What, my ears are ringing and I almost cant see my swollen hands from the spots in my vision" My patient learned too well.

Your homework is to look up the pre-eclampsia, its causes, symptoms and treatment. Investigate the difference between pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.

If you come back with the answers we might be able to provide another story.

Get a volunteer and a topographical anatomy book ....

Admit nothing, deny everything, demand the truth and believe none of it.

Merry Christmas to all, May we get what we want but not what we deserve.

I have pondered this and think that this incident is so disturbing because it is against our very nature.

I cannot speak for everyone in EMS, but at least the ones of us who survive in the business are by nature or practice healers and protectors. Protectors to those that cannot help themselves. We do it day in and day out. We help the sick, the injured, the rich, poor, indigent, young and old. We are our patients advocate. We will put more than we reasonably should on the line to defend our patient and see that they have at least a chance.

What I observe in the video gives me a sense of impotence, sadness and anger because I see someone that should be a protector becoming an animalistic aggressor. It takes my thoughts into those dark areas of my soul that I pray to God never come to the light.

It disturbs me because it goes against the very nature of my existance.

It disturbs me because I have a son.

It disturbs me because had it been my son, the cowards that did this would be safer in jail.

He should bring me presents because I am AWESOME but I am kinda expecting coal.

Well, crap brother. Elecrolites and metabolic disorders are above my pay grade for the most part so if I can't research I am gonna be behind the 8 ball on this one.

I would be initially concerned about the harness not being tight enough. Many workers wear their harness too loose because it is more comfortable but causes functional failure of the equipment in the event of a fall. I think the harness would be more likely to bind if it was originally loose because the weight is less evenly distributed.

Was the safety lanyard attached to a front or dorsal D-ring?

If it was attached to a dorsal D-ring at what level of the back is it positioned before and after the fall? Dis it have a slide capability?

Was the D ring positioned between the shoulders, at the nape of the neck or midsternum?

Did anyone see the fall? Was it a head dive that flipped him around, did he fall supine,prone or feet first?

I am leaning towards a cervical dislocation, herniation or fracture as well as a mild brain injury such as a concussion from the impact of the brain against the skull? All of these could be a result of whiplash.

Do you have any way of measuring ICP?

Hypertension?

Bradicardia?

Breath patterns?

Pupils?

Halo sign?

GCS?

Merry Christmas Eve! On a sidenote, the lack of excitement on 12/21/12 was a huge letdown. I was at least expecting some interesting calls for a ride along, but nope, the Mayans tricked us.

I know, right? I now have to dig up all those caches. Darn.

I do believe our administrator has a sense of humor!

DFIB, that is the book we are using. Thanks for the link. Got it bookmarked.

Kate, Thanks. I didn't figure it would hurt to look at it. Plus, I find it intriguing.

Anatomy is the secret to success, the upside is that in anatomy it is all memorization. You really don't use competencies until you hit physiology. If you have a strong anatomy background, physiology is lots easier.

This may not be the book you will be using but could be useful to get acquainted with some of the terminology and content as you prep for school.

http://www.emt.emszone.com/

Good on you for making the jump and going back to school.

Welcome to the City!

Good on you for coming back and starting another thread. It shows you have guts.IT takes guts to be an EMT. I have seen a lot of people not come back.

Possibly the most important skill sheets are the Patient Assessment/Management Trauma and Assessment/Management Medical.

You need to learn them all well but these two helped me the most in passing the written exams including NREMT.

Don't be shy. If you have any more questions let us know.

EDIT: Cool handle. I love that movie.

Translation. "Ask away, the medics on this forum will try to respond. i am an EMT but in Spanish we are all called paramedicos.

Let me know what module you are in and I might be able to come up with some questions for you to ask.

Or better yet, let us know what you don't understand and we can take a crack at it.

Your analysis are always good Chris and I appreciate you doing them.

I think that we pretty much agree with the exception that I do not trust the government, any government. That would have to be another thread, another day, and another topic. I don't think that part of her argument ads to this particular discussion but am inclined to think it is a valid point.

Back to the OP once again I remember when this happened. This is a survivors story.

Profiling is a normal every day occurrence. Every time we look at someone we are profiling in some way or another. I think we should profile way more than we do now or even admit to doing now.

However, can we not be more aggressive about limiting access to at risk individuals?

Are you suggesting profiling?

I am not using windows 8 but do have problems with my post.

I write these incredibly smart and insightful post and when I hit enter some dumb and poorly thought crap appears on the screen.

Has me totally confounded?!?

Regarding the first point, when looking at mass shootings specifically, legally obtained weapons often play a role.

Regarding your second point, I'm not sure it's too much to ask about people who have mental problems and such living in the same area where weapons will exist. Could such a process have prevented the recent tragedy? I'm not sure, but it could be parted of a larger process aimed at dealing with mental illness in the United States.

The problem with criminals is that they are only proven to be such after the commission of a crime. The process is going to be interesting to watch for sure.

Hello Steg from central Texas,

Congratulations on deciding to prepare yourself for a career in EMS! EMT-B is just the tip of the iceberg so jump right in.

Many here are willing to help you, so long as you don't ask us to do your homework .

Welcome to the City! Please don't lurk. Jump in and participate.