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DwayneEMTP

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Posts posted by DwayneEMTP

    What does everyone think of this

    in General EMS Discussion

    Posted

    Wow Asys, what a brave, honest response.

    It seems the answer to this question might be found in the way that we decide the value of human life. Having an autistic son I have given this some thought at one time or another. How do we value people? Why do we keep people alive that appear to have no realistic chance of contributing to society at any time in the future?

    A man in the grocery store once asked me why my son is different (which is a kindness to people with special needs kids), after explaining autism to him he said "Man, it's too bad you didn't know before he was born." (While abortion was a possibility) Yeah...I wanted to knock him out, but if I try and view it without emotion I can see his point of view. There is an almost 100% chance by boy will not be the next president, a doctor, scientist, a leader of industry, hell, he may never even have a job. How do I define my son's value to him and explain that the world is better off because he is alive? I would gladly slaughter half the people in my town to protect him...But I'm unable to explain, scientifically, why they should be happy he is alive or make any effort to keep him that way.

    How do we decide the value of the premie based simply on it being a human life, and what do we lose if we chose to devalue his/her life based on statistics?

    I have no idea what the answers are. On this subject emotion is such a driving force that I pretty much remove myself from logical discussion and leave it to those of you here much smarter than I....

    Have a great day all!

    Dwayne

    Freaking Out

    in Education and Training

    Posted

    I am an EMT-B student and my Boards aren't until Dec 17, but I'm freaking out. How will I ever remember all the steps to doing a Patient Assessment? There's two pages of crap to remember and I know I don't have to remember them in exact order, but cryst!! I've taken so many deep breaths I'm hyperventilating. I go on my rides tomorrow and Sunday and then I do my clinicals on Tuesday. What if I forget everything? Good gawd. I'm not freaking out about the rides and clinicals so much as I'm worried about Boards. Any advice on mnemonic devices to remember everything? :oops:

    PuzzlePiece, I'm not sure how to say this so you won't misunderstand and be offended...but I think you're hurting yourself with your attitude.

    I can't, and have no desire, to remember "crap". I assume you're talking about your skill sheets. So do you have another month to learn them before you test?

    I can tell you my formula, for what it's worth....

    Grab a partner, or more than one, and start running down your skill sheets. Go until you make a mistake, have someone tell you what the next step is, and then start over from the beginning. Once you can do one subject completely, (they have a lot in common) switch to the next. Once you can do that one, redo the first...continue until you know them all, or have to vomit...Then vomit and start again. I think the first time I sat down with them I spent 9 hours with a buddy...I was hating it...but I hated not knowing it worse.

    Many people are smarter than I am and have their ways, I have to learn most of these thing the hard way...But I do think that until you decide it's important, it's not going to stick. (And I do believe you see them as "crap" as you have chosen not to learn them yet)

    Once you get them in your head it will become much easier (if you're like me) to start to understand that each step requires individual thought. It's difficult to pay attention to any one step when you're worried about the order of the next 3. Also, I'm not positive, but I do think that doing almost any step out of order is a critical fail when you test.

    Good luck! And if you're not busy on your ride alongs I'll bet they will be happy to help.

    Dwayne

    What does everyone think of this

    in General EMS Discussion

    Posted

    I read a book written by an ER doc. The only really good one I've ever read by a doc, EMT, or Paramedic.

    (If someone knows this story feel free to straighten it out...otherwise I'll tell it the best I remember...I can't find the book)

    Baby delivered in the ambulance, mom rushed to maternity (haven't worked in a hospital so I'll do the best I can with names and places) Baby is given to the ER doc.

    He calls neonatal (?), I can't remember what they did to stabilize the baby...and the Babydoc asks the baby's weight.

    The ERdoc tells him 450g (or there about), Baby doc says to let him go, babies are not viable below 500g. ERdoc (not ours) says the baby seems to be moving a lot, breathing well....hell...I don't know....he's making the arguement the baby is viable anyway...whatever that would take...

    Babydoc refuses....Long story short...the ERdoc is forced to leave the baby die in one of the rooms....He says nurses, paramedics, students etc, spend the DAY going in and out...holding it's hand...crying...until, hours later it dies and is taken away....

    I don't know the answer to Ruff's question...but if this is what we're talking about...Well...I don't like it...It seems better to go whole hog, or end the suffering...

    By the way...I'm not claiming this story is true, only that I read it in a non-fiction book...and yes, I'll find it if it's important to verify to anyone I didn't make it up...

    Have a great day all...

    Dwayne

    Are people truly still this foolish?

    in General EMS Discussion

    Posted

    The bottom line on all this is:

    1.Poofs the world over are gaining "protected" minority status.

    2. Don't let your career be compromised by a gay person. Its not worth it and your co-workers will be laughing at you in the end. You will be considered GUILTY until proven innocent.

    3. Treat everyone with courtesy and leave personal prejudices home.

    Man, I hope you're at home right now....

    Dwayne

    Are people truly still this foolish?

    in General EMS Discussion

    Posted

    http://ap.lancasteronline.com/4/pa_aids_emt_lawsuit

    Philly, AIDS patient settle suit over EMT responders

    Published: Nov 13, 2006 7:11 PM EST

    PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The city settled a lawsuit Monday that accused Philadelphia officials of failing to comply with an earlier settlement over the treatment of AIDS patients

    .

    In September 2004, the Justice Department intervened in a lawsuit filed by an AIDS patient alleging that emergency medical technicians employed by the city refused to give him proper care.

    The suit charged that two paramedics failed to help John Gill Smith, then 38, when they responded to a call in February 2001 that Smith was having severe chest pains. Smith's partner told the emergency workers that Smith had AIDS so they would know his health history.

    One paramedic left the house with her shirt collar pulled over her face and did not return, while the other shouted at Smith, "Cover your face, or I'm not going to help you! If you cough on me, I can get AIDS," according to a statement from the AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, a nonprofit group that first filed suit over the issue in 1993.

    Under the terms of Monday's settlement, pending approval by a federal court, Philadelphia will pay Smith $50,000 in damages and provide city-employed paramedics with ongoing training on infection control and HIV and AIDS transmission.

    The city "thought that a settlement made sense" and did not admit any liability in the case, city solicitor Romulo L. Diaz Jr. said Monday.

    In the 1993 case, city officials agreed to pay $10,000, issue an apology and retrain workers on proper responses to people with AIDS.

    "Anyone who calls 911 needs to feel confident that the emergency personnel understand infection control," said Ronda Goldfein, executive director of the advocacy group. "We hope that today's settlement ensures that all of the city's EMT personnel are properly trained and are not afraid of sick people who need their help."

    Wan J. Kim, who heads the Justice Department's civil rights programs, said that vital emergency medical services must be provided in a nondiscriminatory manner to everyone who needs help.

    "The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that cities carry out this important function responsibly and in accordance with federal law," Kim said.

    Didn't this have to be just mean spirited? And even if they believed they were in danger, this is how they chose to respond? I just don't get it....(My opinion from the outside looking in)

    Dwayne

    5 things not to say as a 911 dispatcher...

    in Funny Stuff

    Posted

    When I was a kid (maybe 17) I found my grandmother after she had died...The first dead body I had ever seen.

    When I called 911 I said "I think my grandma is dead...can you send an ambulance?!?!"

    He kept asking, "how old is she?", What is her name?" etc.

    In between questions I was saying "I don't know! She's always just been grandma! Can't we talk after you send an ambulance?!"

    He said "perhaps you should call back when you calm down!" and hung up!

    The ambulance showed up about 30 seconds later...I was probably freaking out...(can't remember, I haven't seen 17 in a while) But I'm thinking hanging up is probably not SOP.

    No point...just a story...

    Dwayne

    Best Interview Questions

    in General EMS Discussion

    Posted

    Spoon because my response to meeting a new situation is to try to slide under the alien perspective, tip it toward me so I can see it, embrace it, and try to push it closer toward me in order to assimilate it. That doesn't mean I think it's the best way, rather that it's how I'm cut out this time around. The virtue of spoon-feeding is that it leaves the "otherness" intact, and if that otherness really doesn't want to deal, it can return from whence it came minimally violated; I approve of freedom. But effective spooning requires a tender object, which is why tines, prongs, points, and edges have their uses. Only very maladaptive types are unable when called upon to slice with the edge of a fork, scoop with a knife, or clock a problem on the head with the bowl of a spoon, poor spoon. I also play a pretty good napkin.

    If I gave this answer at an interview and they said "your hired!" I'd have to say, "I'm sorry, I can't work for you, I have to go home and try to figure out what the hell I'm talking about."

    B)

    Dwayne

    Why was this guy even in an ambulance?

    in General EMS Discussion

    Posted

    Ever had a patient with the cuffs on behind them on a cot?.... nope it doesn't work .. Why he was in the ambulance was probably covering the Police arsess.... and pysch patient.

    Cuff each extremity the rail... and no Police rides with a weapon. I rather not get shot on the way, thank you!R/r 911

    Well LEO really leave their weapons to ride with you? And they do have to ride if your patient is cuffed right?

    I'm not second guessing you Rid, it's just hard to imagine them leaving their weapon to ride, and if they must ride, because of the cuffs, how do you resolve this situation?

    Dwayne

    Paramedic Students Unite!

    in Education and Training

    Posted

    T.summerville, Welcome!

    You know I was going to go to AMR's 5 month program...and then Dust did this same thing to me! Now I'll have 2 1/2 years invested instead..Assuming I don't get hit by a bus or the like I should start medic school in Jan.

    A couple of things I've noticed...for what they are worth..

    At first it seemed like a great decision...Then I cussed Dust all the way through biochem...yep..everyday I sent him evil thoughts...not quite as bad in psychology, anatomy and physiology..(just finishing first semester) I like him again..they are way cool...(sociology :pottytrain5: )But I did find that of the other students going to medic school I am the only one taking this route! I thought hell...I could have been working 18 months ago, who's even going to notice a degree?!? The other students going on to medic think it just amazingly funny I have taken "unnecessary" classes.

    But you know what? I was whining this line of crap to becksdad, and he told me that he noticed (He's way smart if you haven't noticed yet), and Dust said he noticed, and Asys...etc..etc..

    Everyone here that I respect, gives me respect, that I have done nothing to earn besides have a different attitude toward the field they love and protect.

    Someday, if I don't bonehead it, I'll be a medic...and I want to spend my day with respect from these kinds of people. For me, that is the deal breaker on the 5-7 month course.

    I don't know if that helps or not...I don't even know if it makes sense..I always wish I could take these thoughts and give them to someone that could express them with some level of intelligence...

    I just know this is what keeps me up studying when it's long passed bedtime...

    Good luck! Happy to have you at the City!

    Dwayne

    ER Bound...

    in General EMS Discussion

    Posted

    [Absolutely! Remember, working in the hospital, you become an ambassador for EMS. They will be watching you to see what you know and how you present yourself. And from your demeanour, they will decide what they think of the rest of us in EMS.

    So for Gods' sake leave your teddy at home! (lol...those that don't know you think I'm talking about a bear)

    Good luck buddy...It's a grande new adventure!!

    Dwayne

    Christmas and drugs...

    in Education and Training

    Posted

    Hey AK,

    When I went throught the basic academy they broght in a speaker (someone higher up in the college I think) to speak on ethics. He presented the class with this question (the best that I can remember it):

    You have been unemployed, your money is gone, homelessness is a real possibility. You have a wife and kids. You have put in an application for a job that you are easily qualified for and are down to the finish line in the interview process. If given the job you will make more money than you have ever made before. The problem is that the final process to being hired is to swear in writing that you have never smoked marijuana. You have, though it has been years. Do you swear that you haven't to get the job? I believe there is also a slim chance of the truth being revealed in the future if you choose to lie.

    I think he started out to make a good point, though for me it went to far. For example, I said I would lie (This is nowhere near the boundary of things I might do to keep my family from going hungry). He went on to use me as an example to make the point that if I would lie here, then there is no additional step I would be unwilling to take in the future. If I understood him correctly, at this point I was essentially no different than a child molester or bank robber. They were just immoral choices I hadn't chosen to make 'yet'.

    Anyway, I don't know if this is something you can use...I just thought I would throw it in just in case. It certainly made me think! Yeah...and it turns out I was the only moral/ethical deviant in class...so EMS appears to be safe!

    Dwayne

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