MedicNorth

History of event ?

Any dizziness, nausea, vomiting?

Facial droop?

Onset might be important here too

oh - we forgot - Get a panicked look on your face, squeeze your arse cheeks together with your hands, and say "Friggin' chili - can't this thing go any faster?"

a lot of these are overlly tempting to actually try in the middle of the night when I take the elavator on breaks 8)

Hmmm - during my breaks I like to drink a coffee, or read a bit - have never thought about taking an elevator up and down for fun!

Of course ... the only elevator within 30 miles is full of wheat....

We spend years building up walls that keep us separated from the emotional side of the patient contact, but every once in a while, something comes up that blasts through those walls like they were made of paper. I think it is impossible to truly be detached all the time, and I have more respect for people who are willing to risk a little bit and offer some emotional as well as professional contact.

For me, the families of the patients are the ones who get to me the most, or the ones that you were SURE were going to make it after you worked so hard with them, but didn't.

You're doing fine - and thank you for letting us show some positive support on what can be a very thick-skinned forum.

Chicken Soup - a series that kinda makes me feel like I need a shower, mostly because it is clearly just a make-money project. Sure it would be cool to be included in this, if only to have the feeling that anybody out there thinks we are important enough to do make some money off of, but truthfully, we do that best ourselves.

There are some posts in here that could be compiled to have the same effect, but I would love to see this thread turn into one where positive, feel-good things get written. The only problem would be the tendency we have to let our innate negativity and black sense of humour take over.

Anybody got some mushy and soul-inspiring stories to tell?

That is a new one - I think I'll use it at the next staff party. My only question is: who gets the credit for the artistic skill? Merry Christmas anyways.

That was cute!

My luck I'd pull them out and say "They're Mary's"

One of the disadvantages of being old AND busy is that you miss things - I seem to miss more than my share.

Happy Belated BD, oh gorgeous one - may it have been a wonderful day. I'm sorry I missed the party too - I LOVE to eat cake off the birthday girl's face!

I have a couple of STOP signs in my basement - are they considered vital? If so, I guess I should not have taken them!

AZ - I'm in agreement with the main idea of your post, but I'd be happy to get some specifics. What majr design changes would you like to see?

I think the major flaw in ambulance safety is the activity that has to go on inside it while it travels at relatively high speeds on public roads. What could be improved?

Welcome, April

First off, it never hurts to become really familiar with your area, in case regular routes are unavailable.

We just purchased GPS units with map downloads. We enter the address, and it creates a map for us, showing shortest routes, distances, and will even give alternate routes if a turn is missed. These work in both urban and rural settings, as well, depending on the map programs installed.

Up til now, we have simply been responsible for being able to find our way to any specific location in our (VERY large) service area. This will make it easier, but I doubt it will replace being familiar with the easiest way to get to a patient or an address.

If your teacher is using a cellphone in class at all, he or she is acting in an incredibly unprofessional and unethical manner. There is a job to do, and the distraction of texting and/or talking will only make it more difficult for her to do the job, and for the students to do what is required of them.

I would be inclined to talk to the administration, or your parents, or even the PTA, to find out what the school or board policy is. If there is a "no phones" policy, it should be enforced; if there is no such policy, one should be introduced.

LOL!- you late guys! I could have died of old age waiting for those posts, but I'm too stubborn. Squint - now you know why I type so badly - I fell and sprained my fingers, since you never gave the cane back. You know that you would lose again anyway, because I cheat.

Truth, I appreciate even the sentiments of the late folks - I forget a few things myself these days....

Thank you everybody - it is great to have you all as friends!

I know it is all downhill from here (actually has been for a bit laready) but there is certainly a reason downhill is easier - I used my whole month's supply of viagra just to get my fingers stiff enough to type this!

Seriously, though - you guys are great,and I really appreciate the people on this forum - Thanks!

As if ANYBODY could come up with a better story! This thread is doomed!

Brilliant!

VS has to respond before I can?

Nah - I'm going to jump on anyway.

There are reasons for no-parking areas. such as access by fire, police,and other high-needs groups. It bugs the hell out of me when people call discrimination on the most tenuous basis possible, or even worse, cover their own mistakes with the excuse.

And on a side note- why the hell would the police care at all if some vols get to have lights and sirens on their POVs? If they are illegally parked, they are illegally parked,

Simple!

Our guidline is two bottles, off to rehab. This changes dependent upon the weather, type of scene, etc, but is pretty cut and dried. We carry a tent, water, blankets, folding chairs, etc. on the engine and the medics set up shop in there if needed. One of the fire crew is designated to keep track of who needs to be there, and accountability tags are used and timed on the board. NOBODY bucks the rehab crew, or is disciplined

Burned!

Welcome to City, Ghost.

There are a number of threads on herre (use search function) that discuss coming to Canada as a foreign EMS practitioner. I can guarantee that iut will not be easy, and will probably require starting over again, especiall yto come to Alberta. Our system is pretty fragmented, because each province sets its own standards. It is even difficult to go from one provonce to the next the way things are right now.

One place to start looking would be at the Alberta College of Paramedics site at www.collegeofparamedics.org and see what they have to say. This applies only to my province - I'm sure someone else will fill you in on the rest.

Good luck!

OK!

So now we have a place to bash almost everyone, thanks to Spenac! I have to agree that this is a brilliant idea - did you "snatch" it from Terri?

The past week or so seems to have been full of "Bash the...." posts

These are pretty lame, to say the least. It makes no sense at all to bash individuals when it is the system you are upset with, and this tends to be the norm.

I think it is time for people to stop crapping on each other online, and instead begin the process to change things. If you are upset about the system, whether it is volunteers, EMT's vs paramedics, "paint by numbers" protocols, whatever - instead of complaining, work with the people and organizations that can act to actually change things.

EMS is not a static service - it needs to change and grow as the needs of the public change and grow. We all know that the ONLY way to effect positive change is to lobby the people who hold the purse strings and make the laws. Imagine the power a united EMS group would have if they all worked towards this, instead of blaming everything on each other!

Yes there are obviously problems with the piecemeal American system - there are problems north of the border too. It just seems to me that a group working together is more likely to make a difference, instead of standing back, beating on each other.

A screaming 2% as well - Guess I'd better buy some POV lights and stuff.

I don't know if I should be disappointed, intrigued, or simply amazed - It looks like this thread could turn into a "Chiropractor vs Real Doctor" debate which as far as I can tell has never been done on CITY before!

I am ashamed to admit, I voted for the Double Whopper too. I know that Hooters has LOTS of Double Whoppers, but they do not (as far as I know), contain a lot of cholesterol! Saline solution, yes, but not cholesterol.

You know, I'm sure that someone could post asking about your favourite cholesterol meal at MacDonalds, or the hottest waitress at the local Hooter's, and someone would manage to turn it in to a "Fire vs EMS" argument.

This is a valid question, for those of us who work rural areas - there are times when Fire is not available, and extrication is up to EMS. We DO have units equipped with jaws and the rest of the toys.

I much prefer the double metal ends with the spring in the middle - have used them on a number of occasions, and have never had to try twice. Placed in the lower corner of the window, it takes very little extension or effort to gain access. Forget about the fancy trigger-operated units, simple is always better. (and the axe will NOT do it, BTW, unless your patient is already a metre away from the window and preferably already dead)