JakeEMTP

It's all good DFIB. That is my opinion. I'm not comfortable around guns. I don't like them. I just have a vision of the OK Corral as everyone pulls out their pistol and hits more innocents than perpetrators.

Dunno, what if he snaps?

While I am a Canadian working towards my US citizenship, I have lived in the USA for 6 going on 7 years. I must admit it was a shock to me to know that many, many people carry a weapon on their person. Coming from a Country where there is strict gun controls I found it somewhat discomforting at the ease in which people can acquire a firearm. I will not pretend to say I know all there is to know about why people snap. My feeling is, especially around the holidays, people with a mental illness and left to their own devices feel lost and increasingly depressed causing things to spin out of control to a point where they can't help themselves. That is on us as a Society. I don't mean to sound callous but, while the events of the last few days are indeed tragic, the CT shootings are only different by the number of innocent victims and the ages. Unfortunately, innocent victims of GSWs happen everyday. The USA is not alone when it comes to citizens suffering from mental illness. I think that 100% of all other Countries also have the same problems as we. I don't know if their treatment of the mentally ill is different, but I do know that firearms are not as readily available anywhere else in the World. When I hear people cite the second amendment as a reason for a firearm, all I hear is "The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed". What I seldom hear though is, "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state". As Doc stated, this was written at a much different time. We no longer require a Militia as we have well trained LEOs and the Largest, best equipped and trained Military in the world. The chances of the lay public being called into service and them needing to bring their own weapon are virtually nil. I am all for some form of gun control. I understand that a rifle for hunting is a part of American hx and I don't think that is what needs to be regulated as stringently although plopping down a DL and walking out of Wal-Mart with a semi-automatic rifle and 500 rounds of ammo needs to stop. There are other controls that I would like to see put in place but, I do not wish to start a "big to-do". I do not have the time to check back as frequently as I would like. I find it hard sometimes to discuss this issue with some as they become very defensive of the 2nd amendment and will not even consider a different point of view may carry some merit. The very word amendment means change but alas, they consider it carved in stone. The simple fact is, if there are less firearms, then there is. The argument that criminals won't comply or obey new legislation holds little water. If there are less guns and ammo available, where are they going to get them/it? If law abiding citizens keep their weapons secured in a locked cabinet and bring them out for hunting or sport shooting, I have no problem with that. But the fact that the guy sitting next to me at a restaurant is carrying a concealed weapon is a little scary. I have no way of testing this theory, but my belief is that 50% of the people that carry a concealed weapon, would never use it in a confrontation. It's all well and good to have the bravado to carry, it is quite another to pull the trigger and kill someone.

1 C, The cops lights are flashing blue. Regardless, traveling in excess of 100mph is just stupid and I hope his suit is shown to be frivolous. Cowboy is just trying to save face and was mostly likely egged on by his fellow vollies to file. In the video, the copper states they had a report of a black Charger impersonating a LEO, Probably the reason he was stopped. Since he didn't feel the need to pull over for the police, it only added to the officers suspicion. Contrary to popular belief, in most States, a POV is not an emergency vehicle. He should have pulled to the right and stopped, just like we want everybody else to do..

They tried that texting thingy here. Some people like it and some don't. I fall into the latter. I do not need messages from dispatch coming to my phone when I'm not working. We have recently gone to a 700 MHz communication system and I have not had any trouble reaching dispatch, medical control or other units. As Articcat stated, the ambulance has a cellphone if we need it, but I can't remember ever using it. I am allowed to carry my own phone and do, but use it very rarely. Other than the fact it appears to be against the law in Winterpeg, I can't see a reason for an all out ban, however, I'm sure there is one.

I'll forward you my resume when I get home tomorrow.

I usually open with "Don't any of those cars in the driveway run?" In the South, it seems to be appropriate to call everybody "Mr". or "Miss" and then the pt.'s first name. IE "Mr. Jim". I have yet to have anyone object to it although not being from the South originally, I don;t like it much. I prefer Sir or Ma'am.

Another gem from Forrest Gump comes to mind. "Stupid is as stupid does". What, exactly did this Darwin candidate expect to happen? (I know one was perish to become a Darwin award winner, but I feel it's just a matter of time)

Sorry rock_shoes. We just started using the Zoll X Series. I can't help you with the Propaq.

Correct Capt. A stale green (one that's been green for awhile) light has the possibility to turn amber and then red as you get closer.. As professional drivers, we should be aware of this. A good rule of thumb is to anticipate the light is going to change, lift your foot of the fuel peddle and hover over the brake. As the good Capt. stated, an ambulance is much heavier and takes longer to stop than a car.

Non-life threatening injuries (which should have and indeed may have been relayed to the responding ambulance so they could change response to routine) and yet we're still driving fast enough to loose control, overcorrect, park on unstable ground and topple an ambulance. Sorry Miss, you're excused.

I had no idea Mike. How naive of me. I have never seen or even heard of it around here. Sounds like a "good 'ol boys" club to me. What happens if they have another call and they've been drinking, and they happen to get in a wreck? I know, I know. We could "what if" it to death, yet the reality still exists. I would hate to think the "just put Floyd in the car and get him out of here" scenario would take place, but I'm sure it would.

http://www.emsworld.com/news/10768669/plan-to-limit-alcohol-angers-new-jersey-responders I can only assume that this a Volly Dept. Surely no professional organisation would condone the consumption of alcohol at the station after a call.

Bernhard, I have on occasion met the off going crew at a scene. They simply provided me with the information they had and my crew took over pt. care. Not much different than turning over pt. care at the hospital really. I know they were grateful and we were on the clock anyway. In return, they have done the same for us. But, in this case, they drove right by the pt.'s residence to go to the other station. That is unacceptable. If you are dispatched to the call, you go. Simple as that. Sometimes you have to work overtime. It's the nature of the beast.

And the hits just keep on coming.

I think you would enjoy it Kate. This opportunity does not come along everyday (well, once a year). I think anyone involved in the medical profession could benefit from the experience.

I'm really going to try and make it this year. I went once and met Anthony, Rob, BEorP and of course you 'zilla. Great time with good people and some awesome con-ed. I'll book the time off next shift!

I agree with JP. If I have a pt. that I think should be evaluated by a Physician but refuses to go, sometimes a call to Medical Control goes a long way. Sometimes when a patient is told by a Dr. they should be seen they change their mind. We have to call with all pt.'s over 65 who refuse to go and meet certain criteria which I don't have time to post right now. I will get the "No transport" form and post it here when I get the chance.

Not for pain control mobey. I use it for pt. comfort. I have Fentanyl or Morphine for pain control. As you know though, not all pt.'s require it. I just think it is bad form to transport someone for over 30 minutes of so on a backboard w/o making them as comfortable as possible. Well, if it's your only option you have no other choice. Not that I disagree with you though. As I stated earlier, we are moving away from full spinal immobilization unless it is absolutely necessary.

Actually, we're moving away from full spinal immobilization. But when we do use a backboard, I use the torso straps in a crisscross pattern so the straps go over the shoulders of the patient and the legs secured with another strap. Remember to pad the voids between your patient and the board using towels or extra linens, whatever it is you use there (something I see overlooked constantly). Using the straps on your stretcher, especially the shoulder straps will secure your patient safely whilst in the ambulance I have found. Depending on the transport time, I may place a folded towel under the head and shoulders for pt. comfort. If you have ever been on a backboard, you would know just how uncomfortable it really is. Torturous some might say. For really long transports, I will medicate the pt. for comfort. 2mg of Versed usually does the job for openers. I have had some MD's question this practice but once I explain my reasoning, they're usually ok with it. Mostly though, I don't have a problem.

Hindsight is 20/20. That is what scenarios are for in class. I would have treated it as an allergic reaction as I stated above. Until you can control the respiratory rate, any nebulized medication is going to be futile. Breathing 40x/min is not conducive to a good neb. treatment.

What do your protocols say is the treatment of an allergic reaction? I know we preach here to think outside the box and not to be a cookbook medic, sometimes however, the Doctors do know best. The scenario was for an allergic reaction right? So, O2, Benadryl, IM Epi, Solumedrol. You state she had maxed out on her Albuterol (which I assume was a metered-dose inhaler. I also assume she wasn't getting any relief from that due to breathing 40x/min). Nebulized Albuterol, Combivent or Atrovent I think would be preferred over nebulized Epi. Kudos for coming on and sharing this. That is what scenarios are for. Lonestar used to to say, "kill 'em in the classroom so you can save 'em in the streets" or something like that. Tunnel vision is a major stumbling block for students. I did it and I'm sure most here did it. I see it in students all the time. You will have to get over that to be successful. I have faith in you though!

I agree with Mike on his thought process. I have always assumed if we were on a call, we were on THAT call. Especially if we were transporting so we need not stop at a minor MVC. I should say, I have on a couple of occasions, called dispatch whilst enroute to a call when we came across an MVC or a higher priority call came over the radio. I'd inquire if the wanted us to stop at the MVC, or respond to the higher priority call if we were the closet unit. I will give dispatch the option on what they want us to do.

Wait, they were doing compressions on a conscious patient? I re-read the article twice to see if I was indeed reading it correctly. I will give them the benefit of the doubt and say he was pulseless and non-breathing when they arrived. Anyway, the lawsuit is bogus. They have the right to sue and probably will, but it should never see the inside of a courtroom. The comments are hilarious. Really Victor Morton, full c-spine with c-collar and LSB? For a trauma code? Oh dear oh dear. One of the wackers Matt said "And in regards to the medication and treatment that ALS is going to do vs. the ER doc, last I checked, ALS won't be doing any type of exploratory treatment to try and stem the internal bleeding. ACLS is great, but it doesn't do much if there's no blood in the circulatory system". How is there going to be any internal bleeding if there is quote, "no blood in the circulatory system". In his vast experience of 12 years and a whopping 5000 calls, poor Victor has been less than prudent in keeping up with the science. Total tool. The crew did muppet around on scene far to long, the pt.'s outcome however wouldn't have changed one bit by transporting him to the trauma centre, not the local hospital where the family wanted him to go.

I agree with the above posters. L & S are far too often overused. My partner and I will use them enroute to a call if dispatched emergency traffic. Even that is BS sometimes as "per EMD" is the reason for the elevated response. It is extremely rare that we transport anybody emergency traffic.