paramedicmike

Because there were no cover sheets!

Now that all that is out in the open, why don't you go back, do a search and read up on this topic which has already been beaten to death? It's not hard, really. You can find the link to the search function at the top of the page. Please! Save yourself, and us, the hassle of repeating things over again. Do a search! It's easy! It's fun! It's free! And it'll probably answer all of your questions, address all of your concerns, and more! Or is laziness just too easy? (Is that a silly question?) -be safe

There are several things to consider here. First, you...I mean "your buddy"...should check to see if the DUI is still on your...I mean "his"...record. It probably is. Second, you...I mean "your buddy"...should ensure you...I mean "he"...has an otherwise clean driving record. These two items should give you...I mean "your buddy"...a better idea of what you're...I mean "he's"... up against in terms of potential employment. Having a DUI is not necessarily a insurmountable obstacle. But it can certainly make things difficult. You...I mean "your buddy"... may have to wait a few years longer to demonstrate a long term commitment to staying sober. Another thing you...I mean "your buddy"...should know is that most places won't let an employee drive if s/he is under the age of 21. This is an insurance issue and has nothing immediately to do with having a DUI on a driving record. Although, again, the DUI may change a few things. They may say to wait a few years. They may suggest limited driving. They may suggest something else entirely. What you...I mean "your buddy"...definitely needs to do when the time comes is to make sure you...I mean "he"...makes no effort to hide it. When they ask, answer honestly. Don't elaborate more than necessary. But don't downplay it either. Admit it was stupid. Admit that you...I mean "he"...learned your...I mean "his"...lesson and have been sober ever since (but only if you really have been). It's not a solid turn down. But know that in a market where EMS providers are a dime a dozen chances are pretty damn good you will not be picked over someone with a clean driving record. Persistence in your case may well pay off. Good luck. And stay sober. You were lucky you only made it out with a DUI. If you manage to get a job and start working in EMS you'll see more alcohol related accidents and injuries/deaths than you care to. But in your case, that might be just the thing to make sure you don't do something so blatantly stupid ever again. -be safe

You'd probably get a faster reaction, too, as the body wouldn't have to melt the chocolate first. :shock: :shock: Hey! I just found six cents! Woohoo! -be safe

This is not an option for BLS providers in most of the US. Nor should it be. Do a search on glucagon and BLS providers and you'll find it has been discussed at beaten to death. Let's please not rehash the same dead arguments here. Thanks. -be safe

So, what I hear you saying is that it's totally fine to place a substance into the mouth of a person who can't readily maintain his own airway? Do I have that right? And what's more, you're saying that even after you place it there you suction it out? What good are you doing? It will not absorb fast enough to do any good by the time you're suctioning it out. Good luck trying to explain why your hypoglycemic patient is now fighting a wicked aspiration pneumonia to your medical director and the patient's family...and your service's attorney, and your attorney et cetera... Come on! You're smarter than that! Do you really believe what you're doing, as you wrote it above, is working? Or do you stick bite blocks into the mouth of a seizure patient so he doesn't swallow his tongue, too? Thunderchild...well...stole my thunder. You'd be better off giving it rectally than you would be by potentially compromising a patient's airway. And the absorption rate is faster, too boot! Is it gross? Possibly. But it's better to wake up with a tube of oral glucose sticking out of your butt cheeks than not wake up at all because the provider taking care of you stuffed a bunch of goo into your mouth. There's another poster to these forums who has a story of a fellow medic in a wilderness situation. This fellow medic was a diabetic and became unresponsive. The only thing they had was a Snickers bar. Guess where it went? Guess what else?! It worked! Can we please find some common sense in this thread? Some here have it. Some don't. And it's those who don't who are scaring me. -be safe.

Just because it's in a protocol doesn't mean it's right. That only goes to show that protocol monkeys shouldn't be operating prehospitally (not calling anyone here a protocol monkey...just an observation). Sure, your protocols may allow something. But we're supposed to be smart enough to know better. And this is one of those cases where we should know better. The absorption rate of oral glucose is not fast enough to affect any realistic change in a diabetic patient who is unresponsive. Plus, as was mentioned, placing substances in the mouth of an unresponsive patient only invites disaster. What's more, it was a NUTRITION teacher who said this. It wasn't someone who has been presented as having any credential to teach people how to deal with unconscious diabetics. Didn't that strike anyone else? There are better ways to address an unresponsive diabetic. They usually involve transporting to the ED (from a BLS perspective) and/or ALS intervention. They do not involve stuffing oral glucose into the patient's mouth. -be safe

Someone told me the other day I had no sense of humour. I thought, NO! It can't be! But the more I think about it, the more I'm afraid they're right. So, help me out here. Make me laugh. Please. Don't hold back. Come on! You know you want to. It'll make you feel good! -be safe

As requested, check your PMs. -be safe

19/25. Looks like I'm in good company. There are, indeed, four commonwealths and 46 states. PRPG correctly named them. Water down the drain spins in the direction as indicated by the structure of the sink. Hemisphere has nothing to do with it. The lowest number on an analog FM radio dial is 88. The lowest frequency to which it can be tuned is 87.9. The cords on venetian blinds depends on the manufacturer. I've seen "No Smoking" signs with the slash going both ways. That's the problem with "general knowledge" quizzes. Very few things are standardized and many things are based on assumption. But what are you going to do? -be safe

What's your source? How did he know there were kids in the car? How do you know what the Patrol's guidelines. If you can't post your source on these issues then you shouldn't post. I think that was the point of another series of posts in this discussion. So, cite your source. Otherwise, your post is worthless. -be safe

Speaking of getting the information right with regards to the story, does anyone know what the local police procedures are with regards to a chase? There seems to be a lot of bashing of this particular cop. Did he follow his organization's SOP for a chase? Did he do anything any of his coworkers wouldn't do? Did he break the law within the State? Until we know if the cop acted inappropriately or outside organizational SOP, I don't know that we can really condemn his actions. All we know is that the whacker volly endangered himself, his family, the cop and everyone on the road. Until information on the cop's response becomes available we might want to back off on saying he should be punished or go to jail. -be safe

Amazing how the job title "Firefighter/Paramedic" was immediately shorted to just "Paramedic" for the purposes of the story. Funny, too, how they'll allow him to keep his firefighter job. Seems he should've been fired outright. But that's just me. -beb safe

This one is from the Philadelphia, PA Department of Public Health. It's dated 1/17/07. If it's shown up here it'll only be a matter of time before it shows up in other big heroin markets. Just something to keep in mind. -be safe out there.

Hmmm...so let's see here. You had an invalid DNR in your hand due to the lack of a signature. Yet presumably, by the mere presence of the paperwork, you knew that no heroic measures were wanted when grandpa died. So you called the ER, explained the situation. I hope, during the discussion, you included the part about the DNR paperwork and reasons for transport back home et cetera. The doc, hearing this, said to let the man die in peace at home. I'm not sure where the problem lies or why so many of your coworkers had a problem with this. This is exactly what I would've done. I wouldn't have worked him at all. Then you stayed a little while to help the family. It wasn't required of you, but I think it shows not only good faith on your part but compassion that many don't seem to have. I say right on! Good job! -be safe

A degree in the US can be an Associate's Degree (two year degree), a bachelor's degree (four year degree), a master's degree or a doctoral degree (PhD). So people can say "I have a college degree" and be referencing only an Associate's. Associate's degrees are typically technical programs. Bachelor's are more wide ranging requiring a variety of classes typically including some sort of liberal arts component in combination with classes required for the major. Hope this helps. -be safe

Technology regarding compact discs was developed in the 70's. Commercial availability of CDs took place in 1982. It used to be a big deal on certain radio stations to say, "That was a recording of ------ from compact disc." I remember hearing this as early as 1982-3. Just thought I'd throw that out there. -be safe

I think the only reason he had such a calm response was because the camera was there. Had there not been a camera there I'm sure there'd have been F-bombs dropped left and right. I'm confused, though. How does this reference scene safety? The officer was in control of his scene and maintaining his safety as well as that of the two subjects in the vehicle. Safety for the cyclist is up to the cyclist. Safety for the driver of the other vehicle is up to that driver. -be safe

Or you could get your hands on a users manual and look it up. Just a thought. -be safe

The two new flight medics in your area most likely had extensive prehospital 911 experience in combination with their military service. Perhaps I should've worked my reference to the FD better. Working as a paramedic in a busy 911 system will carry more weight than strictly working on a helicopter in Iraq for three years. Further, if you had bothered to read all of what was posted instead of becoming inflamed by only a small portion of what has been submitted, you would have seen the part about "...most of the flight services with which I'm familiar..." and "I'm not saying that it's right. I'm just saying that's how it works in many areas." But I guess sarcasm is easier than asking for clarification or thinking independently. -be safe

Joining the military for the experience, I'll agree, is a good thing. However, most of the flight services with which I'm familiar aren't looking for military experience in terms of prehospital care or even flight care when considering an applicant. You can't beat the trauma experience gained in a military environment. But three years on a helicopter in Iraq won't carry the same weight as someone coming from a busy fire department in terms of experience in regards to hiring. I'm not saying that it's right. I'm just saying that's how it works in many areas. Just something else to consider. -be safe

Thanks, Rid, for reminding of me of something I omitted above. While you might be able to challenge the paramedic exam as an RN, I wouldn't recommend it. Please seriously consider taking a bona fide paramedic course. As an RN there will be many things that will be easy for you. Having had an EMT background, there will be other things that will be easy for you. However, there are differences between RN and paramedic that you don't get in nursing school and that you won't get from having been a basic. While there are similarities between the job of RN and paramedic, the differences are enough that you would be much better off completing a full paramedic course. This will be easier to do if you become an RN first. Scheduling and pay will make it easier to go to school. There are several accredited programs in Maryland. In the long run, it will be well worth your while to go that route. Again, good luck. -be safe

The thrill of flying seldom leaves. However, the thrill of taking care of patients in such an environment fades very quickly. Keep this in mind. No matter the route you decide, you will need three to five years experience in your chosen field (paramedic or RN) before you'll even get looked at for the job. That's three to five years of intense 911 or CC/ICU experience. Even then, you will face stiff competition for a position that may or may not open up. Since, for some reason, everybody and their brother wants to be a flight whatever, there will be potentially hundreds of applications for one opening. Then, if you happen to get hired, be prepared for really crappy pay. Since there are so many people out there who want your job they can afford to play the supply and demand game. Go with nursing first. Then, if you're interested, obtain a paramedic license in MD. This will provide you with the greatest flexibility and income potential than if you went the other way around. If, for some reason, you decide to be bull headed and pursue it anyway, try to arrange a ride along. MSP can do that for you. I'm sure STAT or Univ of MD can do that, too. But I'm telling you, if you really want to fly that badly, finish your RN and go take flying lessons. Not only will you be flying much sooner, but you won't have to worry about becoming another statistic in the increasingly dangerous world of air medical transport. I don't mean to sound discouraging. Really, I don't. However, so many people get a glint in their eye and thump their chest and say, "I want to be a flight..." when I grow up. It's pretty cliche. And, please don't take this the wrong way, it's pretty ignorant, too. It's not what people think it is. It's not as glamourous as you might think. It's loud. It's noisy. It's cramped. It's hot as hell in the summer. It's cold in the winter. You don't really get to do nearly as much as you might think in terms of providing care. Does it have it's moments? You bet! However, is it worth the low pay, stress induced by noise, vibrations, maintainance issues, threat of break down, increasing threat of a crash (think about it, MSP, STAT and MedSTAR have all had fatal crashes. UMD is too new to have had one...but give it time) hearing loss etc...? Ask a lot of questions. Don't be surprised if you don't get the answers you want to hear. Don't argue with those answers either. Just food for thought. Good luck. -be safe

In which case I think it would be a bigger tragedy to censor ourselves than it would be to celebrate the freedoms we have. Censoring ourselves means that those who have fought died in vain. Celebrating the freedoms we have celebrates the lives and sacrifices of those who have fought and died. Just a thought. -be safe

If you read carefully, you'll see Phil has adapted this joke from one concerning the Aussie Prime Minister. Properly edited it could fit just about any head of state. I thought it was quite funny, myself. Phil, "The View" is a daytime TV show here in the States hosted by some women who like nothing more than to hear themselves talk. -be safe