JakeEMTP

Agree with Mike. We need to be more positive.

I look at their posts when I'm on FB Wendy. I don't know why, but get I get the impression that it's a BLS transfer service from New Jersey or somewhere like that (is there anywhere Like NJ?). They do post some funny stuff pictures but I pass on the stories about their daily trials and tribulations. I think like most things on FB, you just have to take it with a grain of salt. How sad our profession is, stuck with mediocre education, depending on the State, up to 4 or 5 different levels of providers, so disjointed from truly becoming a real profession. Jim

I'm also in SC, but work in NC. Where I live it's prodominatly fire-based and my opinion of those services is well documented. If you're planning on getting your Paramedic degree, I would advise going the Nursing route. The transition to medic from RN is much easier than the other way around. You make more money of course, and once you obtain your medic, you can dabble in EMS if you desire. I wish I had gone the Nursing route first, but hindsight is 20/20. The decision of course is yours. I'm just offering my opinion. Most of the services around here hire medics and train you to be a FF since it requires less education, therefore less time. There is one that wants to be a FF and a medic. There are numerous transfer services that hire basics. I don't about your area. Regardless, kudos on going for your medic as soon as you can! Oh, and thank you for your service!

The NREMT list the testing sites on their website. Unfortunately, there are none listed for FL. The closest exam locations I could see were in GA. Sorry Bro'.

And this is shocking to whom? We ALL know that the EMT is a joke of a certification and those that have it should't be allowed anywhere near an emergency ambulance. IFT? Sure. If I need a driver, I'll get the FD to meet me on scene.

For this reason alone would it not make sense to increase education to an AAS degree as minmum entry into EMS? It wasn't that long ago that nursing paid crap. Once the educational standards were increased, so did the compensation. Coincidence? I think not. I know it helps to have a organization like the ANA to speak on your behalf. That is but one of the problems in EMS, but is another topic. Chbare, I'm having a hard time locating anything that you would consider hard evidence that increased education makes for a better provider, and as others have stated, I don't think it exists. One of the reasons I can't find it from other Countries is, a degree is the minimum and there is nothing to compare it to. As long as "The Brotherhood" has control of the majority of EMS in this country, sadly the educational standards here will never increase.

That will be difficult to find. Let the search begin.

I think chbare, that the core classes required for a degree, english, maths, 2 semesters of A & P, etc. make for a more well rounded medic. I have seen more and more 4 year paramedic programmes recently which is encouraging. I would argue, that the 2 year programme should be the minimum to enter EMS as a paramedic. I beleive that Canada (as it is the Country I am most familiar with. No offence intended to the other EMS systems Worldwide) does it right, requiring additional education to progress to the next level. We have had this discussion before. Just about anybody can be trained to do the skills. It is the education that allows us to make a better decision in my opinion. In a 7 month training programme, I wonder how much time is spent on report writing, critical thinking skills, algebra, Pharmacology, well you get my point I hope. There just isn't enough time to do it right.

Bieber nailed it when he said "7 months of training". Education takes at minimum 2 years in a good college to begin to understand what it is we do. Like many others here, I obtained my AAS at an accredited educational institution. That being said, my education continues to this day. There is a huge difference between being a paramedic and a protocol monkey. Sure we have the same patch, but that doesn't mean we are the same. Good luck though in your choice of an inadequate training programme. Expect to do a lot of reviewing for the NR exam. Because once you have the patch, your good to go right?

Is the ambulance coming from the hospital? If it is going to take EMS some time to get to you due to logistics, I would begin transport in my vehicle and meet the ambulance enroute. One of the downfalls of living in the country is emergency services aren't readily available, be it police, fire or EMS. Calling 911 and explaining your injury and telling them you will begin transport in your own vehicle saves time for everybody. The posts above state that the onset of symptoms can begin in 25-30 minutes. You stated your 60 minutes away from the hospital. Meet in the middle. As Diamond Rio sings, "You start walkin' my way, and I'll start walkin' yours".

I don't think having troponins drawn on his first visit would have prevented his have an MI 3 mths later. I cannot understand how 12 reasonable (supposedly) people could have found the defendants liable. Boggles the mind.

I'm sure the defendant's will file an appeal. I'm with the Doc here. How can Temple, the Attending and the resident be held liable? They treated him appropriately on the first visit I would think. 3 mths later, the guy has an MI. How are these two related? Craziness. We don't know, but I think the pt. would've had a full cardiac work-up on the first visit. What we also don't know, is the pt.'s physical condition. Perhaps, to much exertion on HIS part lead to his MI?

I find EMS and FD tats kinda whackerish. A "racin the reaper" tat complete with a speeding ambulance with the grim reaper himself in pursuit is wackerish. I put them in the same catagory as some of the freakin' t-shirts I see. Usually they are being worn by lower level providers and the younger crowds. Just an observation, I have no science to back it up Dwayne! I personally don't have any tattoos, but am not against them. As others have stated, what a person wants to do with their body is their business. I do think full sleeves are ugly but again, that is just my opinion and opinions are just like assholes, everybody has one. As long as your body art is not visible to patients, I'm ok with it. It is a perception, right or wrong, that patients have about their provider. Body art just associates you (generic you) with bikers and gangs. I know a great many people who ride and they are the best people. However, I have noticed in a social setting that ppl tend to stare or avoid them. Wierd, but it happens. A first impression is everything. Body art has become marketably more socially acceptable in recent years and again, I have no problem with tattoos. I just think visible ink doesn't have a place in the medical profession.

Are you sure? Take into consideration how long it would take the helicoptor to get to you. Are you going to stay on scene with the pt.'s you referenced waiting for a helicopter or, are you going to begin transporting to the hospital.

So, she is part whacker. When she saw the L & S in a reflection, she knew this was for her. I admit, there is a certain amount of adrenalin flowing when the L & S are on. For me though, it is mentally preparing for the call. Personally I would like to see the lights and sirens removed from ambulances. The time saved is minimal and the vast majority of pt.'s can be managed w/o running emergency traffic. I've always had a problem with "appreciation week" regardless of which industry I was working in. Patting ourselves on the back for a job well done seems so self serving. It is our job to provide the best care possible to all pt.'s all the time. Giving ourselves, regardless of the profession an "'at a boy" just doesn't sit well with me. The best form of appreciation I like is when a pt. says "thank you". It is my job. I get paid to provide pt. care. I don't need a t-shirt, coffee mug or whatever the trinket of the day is.

Too many EMTs? This is newsworthy? Colleges or Private Schools cranking out brand spanking new ones every week and they wonder why there is an excess? The reason EMS is oversupplied and other medical professions have a shortage is, one can be an EMT and ride in the ambulance with L & S and everything, with basically 3 weeks of training. The other medical professions are just too hard.

W/o a response from Anthony yet, I'd have to go with ETOH or drug OD. Have we checked a BGL? I'm with CM here, if he's breathing normally, I'd pass on the O2 until further assessment is done.

It really is simple. Augusta National Golf Club is a private club. As such, they are free to invite potential members they choose. They should not be forced to include women if they choose not to. Call it the "Good Ol' Boys" club if you want, but it is their perogative. In England, they have the Gentlemen's Club. Not the same Gentlemen's clubs we have here, but a place where one can get a very good cigar, a very expensive scotch and discuss the days events. Oh, and there are no women members. Nobody complains because it is what it is, a Gentlemen's Club..

Good for you Denny! Knock 'em dead (not literally of course!)

I thought as much after I posted. But I do agree with you on all accounts!

Good advice from the Doc, especially # 5! Your safety is paramount, in all honesty, the crew isn't going to worry about you when the feces hits the fan. They will probably tell you to follow them, but ultimately it is up yo you to pick 'em up and put 'em down! I'm not FDNY, but the advise given by ERDoc would work for just about every service I know! Keep your eyes and ears open, ask questions when appropriate! Have a good tour.

Why would you be amazed? EMS is my job. When I'm off shift I find other things to do. Hell, my pager is off before I leave the station parking lot. My wacker days of having the pager/scanner on when I'm at home are long gone. Even they didn't last to long. EMS is not a hobby (well, for some it is), it is a career. It is important to find something else to do other than EMS with your off duty time. Of course, I may have totally missed the sarcasm or humour in your post, which is entirely possible. Have a great day and be safe out there!

Saving clothing is not a consideration when I need to assess for injuries regarding the trauma patient. It's true when you have a "true" trauma patient that you can not assess with clothing on. If they are unresponsive they cannot tell you where it hurts or where the injuries may be. We had a patient last shift who was involved in an MVC/rollover with a head wound, combative, with copious amounts of bleeding. We placed the pt. in the ambulance and removed the clothing. Upon further assessment, we found a closed tibia fx, ankle fx and abdominal evisceration. W/o removing clothing we wouldn't have found these injuries and trated them appropriately. I don't understand why removing a pt.'s jacket is pointless? How do you get a B/P? Assess lung sounds etc?

I enjoy chasing a little white ball through the woods. Followed by several cold glasses of Yeungling in the clubhouse. I read when I get the chance and restoring classic muscle cars. The latter not so much lately, I've just been to damn busy!

Well said Herbie. I also can't for the life of me understand why some preceptors are just total dicks! For the very reasons you state, I will continue to offer my services to the college as a preceptor. If it was me, or a member of my family I would want the medic to have a clue. Some providers I have had the misfortune of working with have an attitude of "Damn, we have another student today". My answer is always, "Sorry, but weren't you a student once? Remember how you felt like crap when your preceptor was a giant douche to you?" If we as preceptors don't start treating our students as if they will be the ones to help us if the need arises, we will have only ourselves to blame. I think the old days when hazing was acceptable, this whole "treat the rook or student like crap" attitude was born. It is unacceptable to treat anybody like crap, but especially our students for they are the future of our profession. How can we expect to progress as a profession when some are living in the past? It has to stop somewhere and it might as well be now.