dstevens58

Good advice. Yes, I do have the "EMS bug". It governed my decision to become a hospital corpsman in the Navy, and it governed my decision to re-enter EMS upon my retirement from law enforcement. Just like all good things, I'm having problems dealing with myself and the possibilty I might have to do something else. Thanks for your input.

No offense, appology accepted and YES, I am an old FART also. I work part-time as an EMT with a private ambulance company and, in fact, was working for them when I fell and injured my back. I also volunteer for our local fire department. I am beginning to wonder if I'm more of liability and if I should continue after healing. The first priority is to get my back healed, or somewhat close to normal. Then, I'm going to have to evaluate if this work is truly in my best interest from a back-health stand point. Thanks for your input (and everyone elses).

I will be 55 next month. You don't have to be young to be in school. I am retired from a career in law enforcement (multiple areas of expertise) and returned to EMS since I was an EMT at one time and former Navy Hospital Corpsman (Independent Duty Tech). I just loved EMS. I got my Basic, then volunteer fire fighter credentials. Then the accident with compression fractures of T9, T10 and T11. I returned to college last year in hopes of picking up my degree in EMS with a paramedic program. I realize that the fall is what caused my compression fractures. As a result, I also found I have osteoporosis. Yes, I have one doctor that is telling me I should consider another line of work and another doctor that is still optomistic about a return. Will just have to wait and see what God has in store for me.

In a nut shell, after a fall at work this year and suffering compression fractures, I was diagnosed with moderate to severe osteoporsis with a high risk for fracture. I really miss EMS while I'm recuperating, but am wondering if EMS work is really for me. I am an EMT-Basis and missed Spring semester because of these compression fractures. I have been in a brace now for almost 8 weeks and face some physical therapy. I have one doctor that's optomistic of a full return and another doctor that is telling me to considering changing my line of work. I'm wondering if anyone out there is in the same boat and still functioning as a field EMT? I would appreciate any input that you may have.

I'm working with a private right (part-time) and going to full-time college paramedic degree program. My employer is awesome about working around my class schedule. Kids are all grown and out of the house, so that's not a factor now. The only requirement from my employer about the part-time employees is that I have to put in 24 hours per month.

50's here for me.....ya, I'm an old...er fart.

Sheesh, I even shopped at a local gas station, getting not only gas, but pop and other items for over two years. Not to long ago, I was on my way home from a clinical rotation and was wearing my uniform. They offered no charge for the fountain drink and pointed out a small sign on the counter that said, "free fountain drinks for fire/ems". I told them that I had been going there for two years and never realized that advertisement there on the counter. Again, I don't go in expecting it, however, when offered (as stated earlier) affects my gratuity and I adjust accordingly. And, if I go in three days from now and have to pay, no big deal....I pay. I would never go there without money in my pocket (or debit card in hand) and expect to walk out with a free drink.

Where at in NE Ohio? I'm there also. PM me if you don't want to answer on an open forum.

My best friend had an LVAD in place until he got his heart transplant. He did not have the LVAD for a long time, as it pushed him up at the top of the transplant list. The distance between me and the hospital where he was located was too far for me to explore the device any further. The next time I saw him was after the transplant.

My experience with public service agencies is that they won't go through the expense of a physical unless they're pretty sure they want you. So, barring any unforseen items in physical, it's only a matter of time.

Love their organization, I've been supporting them for years. Advocacy of mine, there are no excuses for drinking and driving (even one beer). If you drink, plan on being a passenger. IMHO.

Rural area, drunk driver came left of center and struck van. Ripped the entire left front wheel assembly from the van and it was laying 25 feet away from the vehicle. Wife limped away from the scene, but medic crew took full precautions, got her loaded and to the hospital. Nothing broken, but bruised and after a little physical therapy and some visits to psychiatrist for some PTSD, she is well. Thank God everything was relatively minor (only the van was totalled). It took more effort to get this repeat, multi-DUI offender put in prison. This was his seventh offense! I have a certain disdain for drunk drivers (impaired through alcohol, drugs, or distraction).

16-25 miles depending on the hospital and location the call originates in our area.

First car was a 1970 Chevrolet Impala (4-dr) and following: 1972 Triumph Spitfire 1980 Ford Mustang Ford Tauras & Ford Ranger (first time I've owned two vehicles at the same time) Ford Windstar minivan & Toyota pickup Ford Windstar (other was totalled when drunk driver hit the wife) & Ford Ranger Toyota Tercel (4WD Hatchback) Datsun (unknown model) 2001 Chevy S-10/2007 Toyota Yaris/1982 Honda SilverWing GLI500 (current posse)

A nursing home recommended that they prescribe Viagra along with Ambien. At least they wrong roll out of bed while they're sleeping!

Personally, the only thing I carry is a small bag containing a bp cuff, stethoscope, a CPR mask, a pair of gloves and a pen. Enough for me to get a basic set of vitals before someone/anyone comes in the ambulance from what ever area I'm in.

Lotus, I cannot imagine being in your situation with only a few months left. IMHO, for what it's worth, as long as your terminal illness would not be endangering a patient in any way (communicable) or incapacitating (to you and your duties/care of the patient), then by all means go for it. You should be happy in all your endeavors. I would be making the most of the situation and persuing what ever guilty pleasures you desire to do with what ever time remains. See the sunrise/sunset at sea, explore the beauty of all things. Stay safe and bless you.

I wonder how many people actually tried to get those items.

Not to get off-topic completely, but I remember back when my dad was the volunteer fire-fighter and I was just a young elementary school student only dreaming of becoming a fire fighter (probably a good 45 years ago). The same volunteer organization I presently belong to, was having a community Halloween dance and a fire call came out. I heard stories come out of someone riding the back of the fire truck in a devil's costume.

An amusing story, I saw it this morning on CNN while I was waiting to have my oil changed. They were dressed up for a parade, promoting a fund raiser. Although I would have advocated them having turn out gear stored somewhere on the truck for just such an emergency call, I cannot fault them for responding to the emergency at hand. That's part of the call when you're a volunteer. So yes, Dwayne, I would be comfortable in listing them as LODD. Insurance issues would be other concerns, as I'm sure they (insurance companies) would mention the lack of personal protective equipment or lack thereof.

Pharmacist just running down the options a woman would want to use hair remover.....arms, legs and the only other place the pharmacist could think of, the woman called it a Schnauzer

Used to be, someone from the aviation unit would send someone (male) over to the medical clinic for a pap smear. Young kid, never knew the difference. I felt sorry for one kid, made believe I made a note in a medical record and told him to tell his partners everything was okay. Another time, they sent someone over for A.S.H. receivers (ash tray) and 50' of flight line.

Congratulations.....I have hard times with written exams, just a "mental" thing I have to work my way through. I blew through the megacode, which was what worried me going into the course. Flying through that was cool (I volunteered to be first one at the megacode).

In our program, it was the responsibility of the student to find a preceptor (which he had to sign a form from my registration package). It took me a little bit, however, haven't regretted my choice.

Isn't the pulse sensor located in the bottom part of the cuff (assuming on right side up)?